FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

RED BANK NJ- After being informed of the termination of their student club, a group of young women going by the “DREAM 4” have filed an official discrimination complaint against the RBR Board of Education.

Students of the RBR Dreamers club were notified in August by their club advisor that they are no longer an official school club. As of September 8th, the club is no longer listed on the school’s website. A special Board of Ed meeting is scheduled for Monday. Students have been informed that the Board will be voting at the meeting on the Dreamers club’s fate.

Representing the DREAM 4, attorney Jonathan Cohen sent the official complaint to RBR’s Board Attorney and to The NJ Division on Civil Rights.

From the complaint:
“The Dreamers Club has been subjected to discriminatory treatment from the Board of Education members and has been threatened with losing its club status. The club has been continually singled out by the Board for reasons that can only be explained based on political ideology and the national origin/protected characteristics of the Dreamers Club and the population on behalf of which it advocates.”

“Our club has been singled out for nine years. We are ready to take a stand against discriminatory actions that have instilled fear in our club members for nine years, hurting our members, and protecting those in higher power over the best interests of students.”, said DREAM 4 member and Dreamers club Treasurer Selena Martinez-Santiago.

The “DREAM 4” is comprised of the current student leadership of the now in limbo RBR Dreamers Club: President Edith Lozano Zane, Vice President Bethzy Vera Varela , Treasurer Selena Martinez-Santiago , and Secretary Madelyn Sanchez-Berra.

“Our club provides space for those who feel “othered”; those who feel like they will never fit into RBR no matter what they do. Our club lets them know they are allowed to take up space, to share their thoughts and ideas with others, and that they belong in a community.” – Madelyn Sanchez-Berra

Of all of the clubs at Red Bank Regional, the RBR Dreamers club has the highest minority student membership.

“By taking away our club, they are taking away our representation” – Bethzy Vera Varela

Monday will be the second time in under two years that students have been called to defend the Dreamers club themselves against pushback from the Board of Education.

“The mantra we are taught in school is, “Grow up to be the person you needed when you were younger.” Unfortunately, our school has forced us to grow up now.”- Edith Lozano Zane

The next RBR Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 11, at 6:45 PM. The meeting is open to the public.