Students Rally For Suspended Teacher

Only in Mayor Bloomberg's New York can a teacher be gay-baited by a principal, have harassing letters sent to his landlord by the same principal and see himself suspended instead of that principal.

Students at the school where this has happened are rallying in support of the teacher:

Angry Manhattan students protested Wednesday the removal of a teacher who accused his principal of sending hate mail.

Dozens of students and a few teachers at Independence High School in Hell's Kitchen rallied in support of teacher Michael McPherrin.

As first reported in a NY1 exclusive report, Principal Ron Smolkin had removed McPherrin from the classroom on charges of misconduct and insubordination.

McPherrin says that Smolkin sent a letter to his co-op in June accusing him and his partner of spreading AIDS to young boys.

He has now been assigned a desk job until a disciplinary hearing can take place.

"Mike needs to stay. Ron has to go. He's a liar," said a student.

"And there's no reason to bash him because of his sexuality or whatever personal thing he has to go through," said another.

"I think this whole situation is insane. I don't know what's wrong with Ron. If it wasn't for Mike, a lot of people wouldn't have graduated," said a third.

The teachers' union plans to hold a rally against the charges on April 28.

Meanwhile, the union, the Manhattan district attorney and the State Human Rights Commission are investigating Smolkin, who denies the allegations against him.

Notice what body is not listed as investigating this matter?

That would be the DOE.

Again, another blatant example of why teacher protections are needed.

No matter what the recently fired Jonathan Alter thinks.