RED BLUFF, Calif. - Action News Now is investigating people's concerns of a local school teacher comparing the vaccine mandate to the Holocaust, saying the yellow Star of David, Nazis forced Jews to wear is the same as mandating teachers get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Many are upset after, Stacy Pearce, a teacher at Berrendo's Middle School in Red Bluff, posted the video on TikTok.
“Why am I wearing this yellow star on my chest? In Nazi Germany, the Jews were required to wear this yellow Star of David on their clothing to identify them, to humiliate them, and to isolate them, what's happening today is not much different in our school system,” Pearce said in the video.
Many people have sent Action News Now the video. In it, Pearce calls for a"Yellow Star protest."
“Vaccinated or not – wear this yellow star to stand up for our freedom,” Pearce says in the video.
Action News Now spoke with Samuel Edelman who is a Professor Emeritus of Chico State specializing in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. He’s also a member of Congregation Beth Israel in Chico.
“Appalled, upset and wanted to note this is a total misappropriation of the Holocaust, and a slap in the face at the survivor community and to the memory of 6 million Jews and others who were murdered by the Nazis during World War II," Professor Edelman said.
"For a teacher to do this, is amazingly not only inappropriate but it is a slap in the face against all other teachers, and this is something I would hope this teacher and others will stop doing, the Holocaust was a horrific event and not comparable to a vaccine that will save your life,” Professor Edelman said.
Action News Now also spoke with Joseph Lankford whose son goes to Berrendo's Middle School.
“It's not right, the Holocaust was a lot worse than what she's talking about,” Lankford said.
Others think Pearce has the right to voice her opinion.
“As long as it wasn't in the classroom and she was at home or whatever, I don't see anything wrong with it,” parent, Dennis Galloway said.
Action News Now did reach out to school officials. Antelope Elementary School District Superintendent Jim Weber says they are aware of the situation and are currently investigating, but he says they cannot comment any further.
The school district may not be saying much, but others across the country are upset at the video and posted videos in response.
Professor Edelman says Holocaust misappropriation is a worrisome trend he's been seeing for years and he wants it to stop.
“A teacher should be there to teach the facts, evidence, good thoughts and critical thinking. This is not happening when you misuse the Holocaust in such a way,” he said.
Again, school officials are not sharing much when it comes to the investigation. All they have said is that they are aware of the situation and are looking into it.
Action News Now reached out to Stacy Pearce for comment but we have not heard back. She has since taken down her video.https://khsl.action.news/content/news/Red-Bluff-teacher-goes-viral-on-TikTok-for-comparing-COVID-19-vaccine-mandate-to-Holocaust–575572551.html