Hundreds of students have defied politicians and rallied at Town Hall in Sydney in support of Palestine.
A raucous, bouncing crowd chanted, whooped and cheered amid speeches that called for an end to the bombardment of Gaza and for a free Palestine.
Holding signs such as “proudly marked absent today” and “get in, we’re freeing Gaza”, the students of all ages demanded political leaders call for a ceasefire.
Organiser and speaker Noura told the crowd the strike was called in solidarity with the students of Gaza who have seen the school year cancelled amid Israel’s bombardment.
“The students of Sydney strike today in solidarity with the Palestinian people, because we will not be bystanders.”
“The schools in Gaza have been shut down by force due to the bombing … so today we walked out of our school in solidarity with the children of Gaza, we stand with them.”
Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi said she was “proud” of young people in Australia, after a similar school strike was held yesterday in Melbourne.
“I am so honoured to be among you, you give me hope for the future. You inspire me every single day, you will know what is right and what is wrong and you are on the right side of history,” she said to cheers from the students.
“Your education is working really well because it has brought you out here today. It has taught you how to think for yourself. It has taught you the difference between right and wrong.”
A number of speakers referred to criticisms of the strike issued by politicians, including NSW premier Chris Minns and state education minister Prue Carr, who said going to a protest was “not a reason to be wagging today”.
“One of the most important ways you can change the world is get an education,” she said.
“You will be marked absent if you go to the protest, it’s not a reason to be wagging school today.
“You need to go to school.”
But grinning students told Guardian Australia they had “jigged for a good cause”, with one year 12 student, Khidash, saying it was important they stood up against what was happening in Gaza.
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“I’m proud that I came here today with my friends, fellow students, cousins, ex’s and crushes. We jigged for a good cause.
“The Department of Education should know how important this is to us, especially after seeing how many students are absent today,” he said.
Many arrived draped in the traditional Palestinian scarf, the keffiyeh, and holding Palestinian flags aloft.
Students of all ages attended, with many coming from primary school as well as high schools, and marched their way through Sydney’s CBD.
Year 12 student Zahra said she was proud to be marked absent today, and that she was watching the war in Gaza daily and felt she had to do something.
“Every day we see these atrocities, we can’t sit back and be silent. Why would I sit in a classroom when I can come today and make history with my brother and sisters?
“Chris Minns and his fellow politicians are the ones who need to get educated,” she added. “Me and other students at my school don’t stand for what is happening, we are going to stand in solidarity no matter what.
“Our absence today is a big message, we won’t be silenced.”
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