Irish News editorial attacks YaW protest, 6th March 2003.
School walkouts counterproductive
Suggestions that the vast majority of young people are no longer interested in international issues appear to have been comprehensively contradicted by the response to the debate over the possible war against Iraq.
Peace rallies staged at various venues have attracted enormous audiences, with the younger generation particularly strongly represented.
However, yesterdays attempts to stage walk-out protests from schools across Northern Ireland were counterproductive. Many principals, quite justifiably, were concerned about the implications of the initative and some of the organisers displayed an unnecessarily confrontational attitude.
No-one would wish to curb youthful enthusiasm, but it would seem obvious that future similar demonstrations should be staged at weekends.
This would remove any difficulties with school authorities and ensure that all those present would be displaying their commitment to their cause in an appropriate way.