San Francisco, CA: January 5, 2016. (PCP) Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus lauds U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. and former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for their joint letter reminding school officials of their moral and legal obligations to protect Syrian, Arab, Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and other students from bullying and harassment in light of recent events around the world. Citing recent events that include the Syrian refugee crisis, the letter urges school leaders to make clear to their students and staff that discrimination and harassment are "unconditionally wrong and will not be tolerated in our schools," and to ensure that classroom discussions and other school activities are "structured to help students grapple with current events and conflicting viewpoints in constructive ways, and not in ways that result in the targeting of particular students for harassment or blame." "Bay Area Muslim students have contacted us to say they don't feel safe at school," said Reem Suleiman, a Community Advocate at Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus who has provided assistance to local students. "We urge school leaders to follow the Department of Education's lead by ensuring their schools are safe spaces for students from all backgrounds, especially in light of inflammatory rhetoric against Muslim-Americans that has incited hatred, suspicion, and in some cases, violence or intimidation."