The Los Angeles Federation of Teachers on Monday night rescinded its endorsement of school board candidate Khaled Al-Aleem following revelations that he had reposted or “liked” social media posts containing anti-Semitic, pro-gun or pornographic content.
The union said in a statement that it “condemns all forms of persecution, including racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, anti-blackness, Islamophobia, xenophobia and homophobia.” ”
Reached on Monday evening, Al-Aleem said he would have no immediate comment, but is expected to issue a statement on Tuesday.
The decision was made by the 250-member House during an emergency meeting, and is a blow to Al-Aleem's campaign to represent District 1, which includes much of South Los Angeles and Southwest Los Angeles. – She campaigned on the ground on behalf of Al-Aleem, but was required to follow a multi-step process, lasting about two weeks, to formally withdraw support.
The cancellation of its support included the union's large endorsement team, the Teachers' Political Action Council, the Board of Directors, and finally the House of Representatives.
“UTLA member leaders acted decisively as the information emerged,” the union stated.
While the union was working through this process, Aleem continued to promote the union's endorsement online and in some materials distributed to voters in the final days of the campaign. The teachers union spent more than $690,000 on an independent campaign on his behalf, according to records filed with the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission.
Al-Aleem issued a series of apologies that became increasingly detailed.
“There is a long history of cooperation and conflict between black and Jewish communities that we must learn from so that we can respect each other and continue to create a more just world together,” he said in one.
Then, at a campaign forum last week, he took a slightly different stance, saying: “I'm not ashamed of anything.”
The union statement appeared to offer some appreciation for Al-Aleem's apologies: “As educators, we recognize that people can learn and grow through courageous conversations. Therefore, we view this situation as a valuable learning opportunity not only for UTLA, but also for the broader community. We look forward to Engaging the diverse communities that make up Los Angeles.”
Aleem emerged with UTLA's endorsement after a months-long process. He was already known to many union leaders as an active education and community activist who could be counted on to side with the union on policy matters, including opposing the expansion of charter schools and favoring the elimination of school police.
Six other candidates are also vying for the seat vacated by retiring George McKenna.
The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor also suspended campaign activities on behalf of the world. The labor union did not report spending any money on its behalf, but its action – on behalf of the county's union movement – was notable and symbolic.
Aleem's post on In an October 2022 post, Al-Aleem said the book should be mandatory reading in Los Angeles schools: “We are not burning or banning our future!” “We are not playing,” he wrote.
He also admired the supportive posts of basketball star Kyrie Irving and rapper Kanye West when they were criticized for anti-Semitic posts or comments.
After weeks of campaigns funded by unions, and with voting beginning on February 24, Al-Aleem was able to reach the runoff. His campaign had raised $31,736 as of the last reporting period.
The other candidates in the race are:
Shirlette Hinde Newbile, Dorsey High School teacher, dean, department chair and coach. She was endorsed by UTLA in the last election and is supported by McKenna, the retiring incumbent. Christian Flagg, a homeschool parent who runs advocacy training at Community Coalition, a nonprofit in South Los Angeles. His political views, such as eliminating school police, align closely with those of UTLA. Dewayne Davis, a former teacher and principal at LA Unified who has held senior district administrative positions in other school systems. Dede Watts, Chief of Staff to Los Angeles School Board Member Tanya Ortiz-Franklin and an educator with previous leadership roles in traditional, charter and private schools. John Aaron Brasfield, a special education assistant and longtime track and field coach. Rena Tambor, an educator and former educator who ran sleep-away camps in the Northeast.
Outside of UTLA, the second-largest independent funding effort was $520,493 on behalf of Watts, with seed funding coming from two Sacramento-based political action committees — both called Kids First — and a third, a separate charter schools PAC.
