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Jersey City Board of Ed Votes to Ban Former President Ali After Student Walkout
The Jersey City Board of Education voted to ban former Board President Mussab Ali from district facilities following a February 13, 2026 student walkout during the school day.
The vote followed a report from Superintendent Dr. Fernandez, who said the district supports students’ First Amendment rights but must ensure safety and attendance. She stated that students who leave campus without authorization create safety risks and will be marked absent and disciplined under the code of conduct. Students would not be disciplined for the content of their speech, she said, but for missing school or disrupting the educational process.
Vice President Morris introduced the motion.
“In lieu of what the superintendent just read, I have a motion to strengthen the code of conduct and also additionally to ban Musab Ali from all of our schools in Jersey City until further notice,” Morris said.
President Velasquez read the resolution, which stated that Ali “invited and encouraged students to attend a political rally off campus during the February 13th, 2026 school day and miss class without permission in direct violation of the student code of conduct.” The resolution said his actions “jeopardized the safety and well-being of district students” and barred him from district facilities unless approved by the superintendent or attending a public Board meeting.
During debate, Morris said there was evidence from City Hall and social media linking Ali to organizing the rally and accused him of using “intimidation and manipulation.”
Three Trustees voted no, citing the lack of a formal investigation. Student Representative Gwen noted that another demonstration planned for that weekend was organized outside school hours by students.
The motion passed 6-3.
After the vote, Ali denied organizing the walkout.
“The facts are straightforward. I did not organize the walkout. I have evidence confirming that. At no point during the protest was I on school property. Students organized themselves,” he wrote.
He added, “Supporting the First Amendment is not the same as encouraging disruption. We can uphold school safety and constitutional freedoms at the same time..”