Students protest after teacher says 'speak American'

Cliffside Park, N.J. — A New Jersey teacher is facing backlash for a controversial comment she made to her students last week that’s gone viral thanks to Snapchat.

“The men and women who are fighting, are not fighting for your right to speak Spanish, they are fighting for your right to speak American,” the Cliffside Park High school teacher said in a video captured during the moment.

The comment from the teacher came after one of the students was speaking in Spanish with another classmate.

“I laughed, because, first of all, that’s not a language,” said the student.  “I have the right to speak Spanish. I have the right to speak English. I have the right to speak whatever language I speak, and that’s my right. There’s no law that says that I should or I must speak English.”

On Monday, nearly 100 students walked out of school protesting the teacher, and Monday evening the Cliffside Park School District's Board of Education held a special meeting in closed session, NorthJersey.com reported.

Cox Media Group