Image: AAP Image, Dan Himbrechts
by ABHA HAVAL
As hundreds of students took to the streets of Sydney today in support of Palestine, despite the government’s attempts to discourage them from doing so, the NSW Council of Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) has affirmed the rights of the students to protest.
The NSW Premier Chris Minns, State Education Minister Prue Car, and Federal Education Minister had called for students to stay in school ahead of the class.
“If you want to change the world, get an education,” Mr Minns said this week.
Ms Car said the protest was “not a reason to be wagging school.”
But hundreds of students skipped class and staged walkouts despite the government’s discouragements.
Ahead of the rally, NSWCCL affirmed the rights of the public and expressed their solidarity with these young people, supporting their right to engage in protests despite the political intimidation and criticism that has been directed at them.
NSW Council for Civil Liberties President Lydia Shelly expressed her disappointment with the Minns Government and her support for the students who wish to participate in public protests.
She said, “It is appalling that the Minns Government seems to be targeting young protesters, undermining our young people from engaging in public and political spaces. Our Premier appears completely disconnected from the issues that concern the youth.”
“Young people who strike and protest are using their voices and direct action to contribute to state and federal political discourse which largely excludes their participation.”
City Hub spoke to Hannah and Lani, Palestinian twins aged 15 who attended the protest today.
Hannah said, “We weren’t advised to leave school, but this issue was really important to us.”
“It felt a bit wrong, but I knew I was standing up for the right thing.”
Lani said their parents were proud of them and supported them going to the protest.
The right to protest
The strike was called in solidarity with the students of Gaza who have seen the school year cancelled amid Israel’s bombardment.
One rally speaker said she joined the protest “to use my voice for those children in Gaza who are not able to pursue their education, and whose basic human rights have been stolen from them.”
Throughout the rally, the Premier was especially criticised for his comments made earlier in the week to urge students to stay in school.
Ms Shelly said, “In an environment where politicians of the day are afforded such power and privilege, the irony of demonising and critiquing young people for speaking out about important issues directly impacting their future, is not lost on the broader community.”
“NSW has some of the most draconian anti-protest laws in our country and it is a poor reflection of our current political leadership that they are not taking active steps to repeal these laws,” she continued.
“We have been defending the right to protest since 1963 and we will continue to do so.”
