'No Ill Intent': Hinsdale Central Students Defended Over Flyer

HINSDALE, IL – Eight residents on Thursday defended the Hinsdale Central High School students who held last week's fundraiser that they advertised with a flyer that some saw as containing an antisemitic slogan.

The residents spoke during a school board meeting.

Last Friday, the students planned a donut fundraiser to help the children of Gaza, referring to the victims of the war between Israel and Hamas.

The flyer included the saying, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," which some consider antisemitic.

After an outcry, the school said it was investigating the matter.

Lena Shahbandar, a parent of a Hinsdale Central student who belongs to the Muslim Student Association, said the group had "no ill intent" in organizing the event or posting the flyer.

"The kids and actually many of the parents had never known that these words could be considered in any hurtful way," Shahbandar told the board. "They didn't actually know while they were doing the fundraiser until midway through that there was a fiasco happening."

She and others said the incident was a "teachable moment."

"There are many Muslim and Palestinian students, which are also two things, who do not feel safe at school right now, and I am sure there are Jewish children who feel the same," Shahbandar said. "I want to tell them all, unequivocally, that you belong. You are safe."

Another resident, Sadiya Bushner, said this was a moment where students could learn there are "varying interpretations to statements."

"They can engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue to understand different points of view," Bushner said. "Our children need to see how we can rise to the challenge of handling uncomfortable situations and rather than shutting them down, use that as a moment of reflection, growth and empathy."

Sinead Duffy, a member of the Hinsdale School District 181 board, said there is no place locally to be anti-Muslim or antisemitic. And she said she did not believe the organizers of the fundraiser intended to make antisemitic comments.

"We've got great students, great parents and great organizations, and for some reason, people like the Patch and other Facebook pages like to misrepresent what Hinsdale Central and South are all about," Duffy said. "And it drives me nuts every time I see it."

Many of the commenters praised Hinsdale Central Principal Bill Walsh's handling of the situation.

Bushner said Walsh showed leadership and support for students in prioritizing their safety and well-being. And Shahbandar called the principal a "fair-minded and thoughtful leader."

The board did not respond to the public comments, following its policy.