(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 5/14/2025) – On Thursday, May 15, the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia) will join a press conference to announce the filing of a federal lawsuit against the School District of Philadelphia on behalf of Keziah Ridgeway, a respected educator and advocate, alleging unlawful discrimination and retaliation in violation of her civil rights.
The legal action is being brought by attorneys Mu’min Islam of MFI Law Group and Spencer A. Hill of The Law Office of Spencer Hill, PLLC.
WHAT: Press Conference and Announcement of Lawsuit on behalf of SDP Teacher Keziah Ridgeway
WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 2:30 – 3:30pm
WHERE: The Friends Center, MLK Room (3rd Floor) 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
WHO: Ahmet Tekelioglu, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director; Attorney Spencer A. Hill of The Law Office of Spencer Hill, PLLC.; Ethan Cohen, member of the JVP Philly Steering Committee, teacher at Temple University, Saint Joseph’s University, and Kol Tzedek Torah School; Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari, parent of two Jewish elementary students in the School District of Philadelphia and senior rabbi at Kol Tzedek Synagogue in West Philadelphia.
Livestream Recording: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJr1lKpO9RB/
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/6iwA7nUsqAuLTQhy5
Full complaint is available for download (PDF).
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, details a pattern of discriminatory treatment and retaliatory actions taken against Ms. Ridgeway in violation of her First Amendment rights, and targeting her constitutionality protected advocacy efforts on behalf of students and marginalized communities. Ms. Ridgeway, an African American Muslim woman and longtime public school teacher, alleges that after years of exemplary service, she was subjected to adverse treatment by the district when she spoke out against systemic inequities and supported students’ rights, including those of Palestinian and Muslim students.
Attorney Mu’min Islam of MFI Law Group said:
“I have personally known Keziah for over twenty years. Her involvement in pursuing justice and commitment to education is admirable. I am proud to stand behind her in speaking out on behalf of others and we seek justice against those who unlawfully silenced her in favor of their political, personal or religious beliefs.”
Ahmet Tekelioglu, PhD., Executive Director of CAIR-Philadelphia, said:
“This lawsuit is about accountability. Ms. Ridgeway has dedicated her career to uplifting her students and challenging injustice within the public school system. The School District of Philadelphia cannot silence educators who advocate for equity and speak truth to power. We stand with Ms. Ridgeway and all educators who refuse to be complicit in systems of discrimination and censorship.”
CAIR-Philadelphia is committed to defending the civil rights of individuals facing discrimination, especially when it involves institutional retaliation against those who advocate for justice. The organization views this case as a critical moment in the fight to protect educators and students from racially and religiously-motivated retaliation.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: Attorney Spencer A. Hill, Jr., Esq., The Law Office of Spencer Hill, PLLC, 215-313-7026, spencer@spencerhilllaw.com; Ahmet Tekelioglu, PhD, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director, 617-401-5397, atekelioglu@cair.com.
