Judicial Watch Files Lawsuit against Oakland Unified School District for Records on Elementary School’s Racially Segregated ‘Playdate’

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced today that it filed a California Public Records Act lawsuit against the Oakland Unified School District for records on a racially segregated “playdate” held on August 26, 2023, by one of the district’s elementary schools (Judicial Watch v. Oakland Unified School District) (No. 23CV055165)). The Judicial Watch lawsuit seeks records on the planning and authorization of the “playdate” held by Chabot Elementary School titled “Playdate Social for Black, Brown & API [Asian/Pacific Islander] Families.”

The invitation for the “playdate” states: “If your family identifies as Black, Brown, or API or are a parent/caregiver of a Black, Brown, or API student. Come hang out while we get a chance to know each other and build our community as we kick off this schoolyear.”

The “playdate” was hosted by the school’s Equity & Inclusion Committee.

OUSD Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammel said in an August 29, 2023 press release:

Chabot is a diverse school community with more than half of the student population identifying as students of color. This playdate aimed to create an affinity space where Black, Brown, and API families can build and sustain connection and belonging at the school. It’s one of many examples of the important work we do for equity and inclusion across the District.

Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit after the Oakland school’s agency failed to respond to a September 29, 2023, open records request for:

Any records about planning or preparation for the August 26, 2023 “Playdate Social for Black, Brown & API Families.”

Any records about approval or authorization for the August 26, 2023 “Playdate Social for Black, Brown & API Families.”

Communications between OUSD board directors and staff, OUSD senior leadership team, Chabot Elementary School staff, and/or members of the Chabot Elementary School Equity and Inclusion Committee regarding the August 26, 2023 “Playdate Social for Black, Brown & API Families.”

Any records concerning or relating to inviting students or families who do not identify as “Black,” “Brown,” or “API” to the August 26, 2023 “Playdate Social for Black, Brown & API Families.”

Any records concerning or regarding the presence or participation of students or families who do not identify as “Black,” “Brown,” or “API” at the August 26, 2023 “Playdate Social for Black, Brown & API Families.”

Any records concerning or regarding the exclusion of students or families who do not identify as “Black,” “Brown,” or “API” at the August 26, 2023 “Playdate Social for Black, Brown & API Families.”

Any rules, regulations, policies, or guidelines regarding the use of OUSD facilities or resources for race-specific or race-selective events, such as the August 26, 2023 “Playdate Social for Black, Brown & API Families.”

Any records concerning, relating to, or addressing application of the following to race-specific or race-selective events, such as the August 26, 2023 “Playdate Social for Black, Brown & API Families”:

Cal Const., art. I, § 31 (Proposition 209);

U.S. Const., amend. 14;

42 U.S.C. § 2000d (Title VI);

Cal. Educ. Code §§ 200 or 220;

Cal Gov’t Code § 11135;

Cal. Penal Code §422.55;

5 C.C.R. § 1460; or

OUSD Policy Nos. 0410, 1312.3, 4030, 5143.3, or 5145.7.

“This Oakland school segregated ‘playdate’ shows how the extremist Left is embracing anti-white segregation in our schools,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “And to make matters worse, the Oakland school district leaders are unlawfully hiding records about this deplorable abuse of schoolchildren.”

Judicial Watch lawsuits and FOIA requests on Critical Race Theory and other leftist extremism are extensive:

In July 2023, Judicial Watch exposed records from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), a component of the United States Department of Defense, which included instructional materials and emails that address topics such as Critical Race Theory, “white privilege,” and Black Lives Matter.

In March 2023, records from the U.S. Department of Defense showed the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) has made race and gender instruction a top priority in the training of cadets.

In July 2022, Judicial Watch sued the Department of Defense for  records related to the United States Naval Academy (USNA) implementing Critical Race Theory (CRT) in the training of naval recruits.

In July 2022, Judicial Watch’s client David Flynn, who was removed from his position as head football coach after exercising his right as a parent-citizen to raise concerns about Critical Race Theory and Black Lives Matter propaganda in his daughter’s seventh-grade history class, settled his civil rights lawsuit against his former employers at Dedham Public Schools. As part of the settlement, the Superintendent of Dedham Public Schools, Michael Welch, acknowledged “the important and valid issues” raised by Flynn and specific changes in school policies because of Flynn’s complaint, including banning teachers from promoting Black Lives Matter to students online.

In August, Judicial Watch sued on behalf of a Minneapolis taxpayer over a teachers’ contract that provides discriminatory job protections to certain racial minorities. The lawsuit was filed against the superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools, the Minneapolis Public Schools, and the Minneapolis Board of Education for violating the Equal Protection Guarantee of the Minnesota Constitution.

In June, Judicial Watch received records revealing Critical Race Theory instruction at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. One training slide contains a graphic titled “MODERN-DAY SLAVERY IN THE USA.” [Emphasis in original]

Records produced in April 2022 from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) show the government agency responsible for regulating credit unions required “inclusion and unconscious bias training” for the agency’s employees and contractors and offered advice on how to recognize and address alleged “microaggressions” in the workplace.

Records produced in February 2022 from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) included a PowerPoint presentation titled “Race and gender based microaggressions” that was used for training at the organization.

Two sets of records obtained by Judicial Watch in November 2021 related to the teaching of Critical Race Theory in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Maryland’s largest school system, included a training course with information about a book titled “Antiracist Baby” that introduces the youngest readers to “the concept and power of antiracism,” and says it’s the “perfect gift” for “ages baby to age 3.”

Records from Loudoun County, VA, obtained in October 2021 revealed a coordinated effort to advance Critical Race Theory initiatives in Loudoun County public schools despite widespread public opposition.

A training document provided to Judicial Watch in October 2021 by a whistleblower in the Westerly School District of Rhode Island, details how its schools are using teachers to push Critical Race Theory in classrooms. The training course was assembled by the left-leaning Highlander Institute and cites quotes from Bettina Love, from whom the Biden administration distanced itself publicly after her statements equating “whiteness” to oppression.

Records produced in June 2021 by Wellesley Public Schools in Massachusetts confirmed the use of “affinity spaces” that divide students and staff based on race as a priority and objective of the school district’s “diversity, equity and inclusion” plan. The school district also admitted that between September 1, 2020, and May 17, 2021, it created “five distinct” segregated spaces.

Heavily redacted records obtained by Judicial watch in May 2021from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland included documents related to their $454,000 “Anti-racist system audit” and Critical Race Theory classes. Students were taught that the phrase “Make America Great Again” was an example of “covert white supremacy.”

###