San Francisco attorney files lawsuit against Gov. Newsom to open California schools

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

SF attorney files lawsuit against CA Governor to open schools

Attorney Harmeet Dhillon has filed a lawsuit against Governor Newsom calling for California's schools to reopen this fall. She is advocating for parent and teacher choice.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A San Francisco Civil Rights attorney has filed a lawsuit against Governor Gavin Newsom calling for California schools to reopen this fall.

In light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, dozens of California counties will conduct distance learning this fall.

Many California parents are scrambling to create pandemic pods and micro schools so that their children can learn remotely this fall with other children and either a hired tutor or a parent taking turns. This after what was a challenging spring semester for most.

"All of these children we saw in the spring semester of this year were failed by the state of California and its educational plans," said Attorney Harmeet Dhillon.

Dhillon has filed a lawsuit against Governor Newsom calling for California's schools to reopen this fall. She is advocating for parent and teacher choice.

"That is not a decision that the state can or should make," said Dhillon.

Dhillon is an RNC Committeewoman for California. She insists politics are not at play here, saying she has spoken with parents and teachers across party lines who all say distance learning doesn't work.

"Even parents with the most motivated and academically successful children reported depression, anxiety, withdrawal, behavioral issues, a lack of motivation," said Dhillon.

Parent Christine Ruiz says her son has a team when he attends school in person.

"Regression in special education students is dangerous and profound when their services are cut off," said Ruiz.

Last week ABC7 News interviewed mom Lian Chang who created a Pandemic Pods and Micro Schools Facebook group. The group has nearly 10,000 members.

VIDEO Pandemic Pods: Here's how Bay Area parents are getting creative with their child's education

Bay Area parents are getting creative when it comes to their kids and school in light of Covid-19. Many are contemplating alternative learning options for the fall either out of necessity or preference.

Members say they recognize not all families have the same means.

"There are a lot of issues about inequity that come up here that are just absolutely terrible," said parent Anjali Cameron.

Dhillon says she had hoped not to have to file this lawsuit and points to the success of recent litigation.

"In response to our lawsuits the governor of California and the state have in some cases worked with us and in other cases unilaterally gone and changed their orders to open up the churches to prayer with safe socially distanced numbers, to open up to protests which he barred originally but after our lawsuit was filed changed to allow protests outdoors, opened the beaches of orange county, opened several types of restaurants with social distancing measures, if you've been able to get a haircut or your nails done in California, it's been thanks to the center for American liberty," said Dhillon.

WATCH: Center for American Liberty announces #OpenCASchools lawsuit

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