Toms River school board member won't resign over posts on 2 Muslim reps, Islam

An Ocean County school board member is refusing to resign or apologize for social media posts disparaging two Muslim congresswomen and Islam.

News 12 Staff

Jul 25, 2019, 8:03 PM

Updated 1,748 days ago

Share:

An Ocean County school board member is refusing to resign or apologize for social media posts disparaging two Muslim congresswomen and Islam.
Daniel Leonard said at a Toms River school board meeting Wednesday he has a right to free speech as over a dozen speakers chastised him for his personal Facebook posts.
In a post about Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib urging a hunger strike over U.S. treatment of migrants, he wrote: "my life would be complete if she/they die." In another post he described Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, also a Muslim, as a terrorist.
He also shared a derogatory meme with an image of a bruised "Sharia Barbie' doll in a headscarf.
Leonard did say that he would watch what he posted online in the future.
“Sadly, my personal posts have obviously impacted the district and I will be more cautious going forward,” Leonard wrote on Facebook.
Leonard was elected in 2016 and is seeking re-election this year.
He thanked his supporters on his official reelection Facebook page.
“I will continue our fight against false narratives and out of context mischaracterizations of my posts,” he wrote, while also calling on Rep. Tlaib and Rep. Omar to resign for comments they have made in the past.
Leonard said he opposes "Sharia law," not Muslims.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


More from News 12
2:32
STORM WATCH: Early morning storms, conditions approve in the afternoon with temps in mid-80s

STORM WATCH: Early morning storms, conditions approve in the afternoon with temps in mid-80s

1:35
Early morning storms expected to impact morning commute in New Jersey

Early morning storms expected to impact morning commute in New Jersey

0:29
Officials: 2 oil tanker engineers accused of dumping oily waste off coast of New Jersey

Officials: 2 oil tanker engineers accused of dumping oily waste off coast of New Jersey

0:24
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center nurses host Met Gala-like fashion show for Nurses Week

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center nurses host Met Gala-like fashion show for Nurses Week

0:24
Police: Juvenile charged for making fake threat at Warren Middle School

Police: Juvenile charged for making fake threat at Warren Middle School

0:27
Police: Car crash into Little Ferry adult school caused by faulty brakes

Police: Car crash into Little Ferry adult school caused by faulty brakes

1:50
Tractor-trailer carrying logs overturns near Little Falls day care playground; no injuries reported

Tractor-trailer carrying logs overturns near Little Falls day care playground; no injuries reported

2:36
Panera to discontinue Charged Lemonade following multiple death lawsuits

Panera to discontinue Charged Lemonade following multiple death lawsuits

Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

Trocheck's power-play goal lifts Rangers to 4-3 win over Hurricanes in 2OT for 2-0 series lead

2:46
8 tips for children walking or bicycling to school

8 tips for children walking or bicycling to school

1:27
What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's quiche lorraine

What's Cooking: Uncle Giuseppe's quiche lorraine

0:26
Quintuplets graduate from Montclair State University

Quintuplets graduate from Montclair State University

Authorities: No indication of plane crash in Barnegat despite receiving distress signal

Authorities: No indication of plane crash in Barnegat despite receiving distress signal

0:39
State Republicans call for legislative hearings into how Rutgers handled pro-Palestinian protest

State Republicans call for legislative hearings into how Rutgers handled pro-Palestinian protest

0:42
Jersey Proud: Eagle Scout builds bocce courts at Middlesex church

Jersey Proud: Eagle Scout builds bocce courts at Middlesex church

1:39
Officials: 1 person injured in fire that destroyed Watchung home

Officials: 1 person injured in fire that destroyed Watchung home

Police arrest man accused in 15 burglaries in Lakewood and Toms River

Police arrest man accused in 15 burglaries in Lakewood and Toms River

2:06
Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum reopens to visitors following renovations

Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and Museum reopens to visitors following renovations

0:24
Explore the Bubble Planet this summer at American Dream

Explore the Bubble Planet this summer at American Dream

2:03
Deadline to get a Real ID is in one year. Here's what you need to know

Deadline to get a Real ID is in one year. Here's what you need to know