An instructional assistant at a high school in Florida is said to have complained about a co-parking worker’s spot, which has a verse from the New Testament written on it. She said that as a Jewish person, it makes her feel bad.
According to Fox News, Marina Gentilesco works at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Pasco County, Florida. She told local Fox affiliate Fox 59 that she gets angry every time she walks by her co-worker’s parking spot, which has the words “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” written on it.
She told the outlet, “I feel like it’s attacking me as a Jew.”
Florida high school employee complains about Bible verse on co-worker's parking space: 'It's attacking me' https://t.co/seQyMk2U6U
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 14, 2022
Gentilesco’s parents told her stories about the Holocaust, and she says that the quote from St. Paul’s letter brings back painful memories.
Gentilesco said, “It brings me to the verge of tears because it brings me back to the 6 million that perished. Six million perished because of our faith — because we’re Jews.”
Gentilesco is said to have told her principal about her problems, and then her principal went to the district. Pasco County Schools decided not to have the Bible verse taken down because of freedom of speech.
Stephen Hegarty, who is in charge of public information for Pasco County Schools, said that it’s not a violation, that it’s just a personal expression.
Hegarty said there isn’t any proselytizing going on, and that the parking spot isn’t forcing students to do anything. He added, “It’s just a teacher expressing themselves, just like they might wear a crucifix on their shirt.” He said this because the parking spot had nothing to do with teaching.
“Teachers and students are free to express themselves,” Hegarty stated.
You can view the news story here.
Featured Image screengrab from embedded Tweet.
