A Long Island high school senior is suing her school district after staff painted over her pro-Palestinian parking spot artwork. The student, identified in court as “Jane Khan,” filed the suit in Brooklyn Federal Court, claiming emotional trauma and viewpoint discrimination.
Half Hollow Hills High School West allows seniors to decorate their parking spaces. Khan used the opportunity to paint a watermelon with a keffiyeh pattern, her name in Arabic, and the phrase “Peace Be Upon You.” The watermelon is widely recognized as a symbol of Palestinian identity and solidarity, as described by Anadolu Agency.
Khan, who identifies as Pakistani and Muslim, says her painting did not disrupt school activities or threaten anyone’s rights. But a Facebook group post in “Never Forget Jewish Lives Matter” urged people to contact the school superintendent. The lawsuit says the next day, Principal Dr. Michael Catapano called Khan to his office. Two days later, the school had painted over the watermelon portion.
“There was no history of tension between Muslim and Jewish students,” Khan stated in the complaint, quoted by the New York Post. “She takes no offense at others expressing their beliefs—she just doesn’t want hers erased”.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for emotional distress. The school district has not commented on the case.
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