COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Some parents and community members are worried about the backlash from the message Cobb County Schools sent to families about the call from Hamas for a day of rage.
In the message parents said they got from the district, school officials said they were "aware of the international threat issued by Hamas," despite no threats being directly related to any Cobb schools.
Some parents called the statement irresponsible.
"It wasn't substantiated with any kind of specific evidence of threat to Cobb County. But it was also fearmongering, sensationalized and incredibly distressing,” one parent said.
Parents took concerns to the school board -- speaking out during a work session Thursday night.
They also shared their concerns with Georgia’s Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Leaders with the organization said the message does harm.
“There are multiple studies that show that Muslim students are bullied at much higher levels than their peers. It is very dangerous for their social psychological well-being,” said executive director, Azka Mahmood.
Mahmood said CAIR and parents sent letters to the school board, urging them to be mindful of sending out these types of messages and to make sure Muslim and Arab students are being supported.
“We have not heard back, None of the parents have heard back. There has been no apology and no clarification,” Mahmood said.
District superintendent Chris Ragsdale did address those who spoke Thursday, saying the alert was meant to show the district was taking the threat seriously. He added bullying or hate will not be tolerated.
“I was recently informed that some of our students and families have been impacted by the recent and heinous attacks against Israelis,” Ragsdale said.
Another statement said the district was "sorry to hear when any of our students and parents are affected by global events" and that they would take every step to keep students and staff safe, including communication.