Virginia School Board Member Watchlist: Fairfax Member Implies that Iwo Jima Was Evil

February 26, 2023

Abrar Omeish, a member of Fairfax County School Board, was discussing the importance of Japanese Day of Remembrance, which focuses on Japanese-Americans, when she then mentioned the importance of reflecting on the days when “Iowa Jima unfortunately happened” and showed what “human evil is capable of." The Battle of Iowa Jima cost over 6,800 Americans their lives as they fought against the atrocities of the Japanese empire. The war is famously memorialized through a statue depicting Marines raising the flag. This isn’t Omeish’s first controversial statement; she has also made anti-Israel comments and gave a high school commencement speech where she stated: 

"’Our world is overwhelmed with need. We struggle with human greed, racism, extreme versions of individualism and capitalism, White supremacy, growing wealth gaps, disease, climate crisis, extreme poverty amid luxury and waste right next door. And the list goes on,’ Omeish said.” 

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