Youth Against the War
Press Release: 5.3.03
Up
to 10,000
school students in
Northern Ireland
take action against the war.
1000 march in Newry
Students in some schools locked in
Newry students
threatened with suspension
An estimated 10,000 school students across Northern Ireland today
took part in some form of protest action in opposition to the war in Iraq. In
most cases the action took the form of lunchtime protests in school grounds or
outside the gates of schools. In Newry, Omagh and Coleraine marches and rallies
were held. In Derry, where well over 1000 took part in protests, students from
some schools marched to the Guildhall Square.
The walkouts and protests were organised by Youth Against the War.
Youth Against the War spokesperson, Daniel Waldron, said: "We were
overwhelmed by the support in all areas. No-one can now question the opposition
of school students to this unjust war for oil. The determination of students to
take action was also clearly shown.
"The only unfortunate aspect of the day was the response of
some schools who tried to intimidate students and physically prevent them from
taking part. Students were threatened with suspension and expulsion.
"Youth Against the War is now compiling information on the
threats and the physical methods that were used to try to stop students from
taking part. For example, in Dominican College in North Belfast students were
threatened with suspension. When they tried to walk out some teachers
physically attempted to block them. In the end 300 took part in a protest at
the gates but several hundred others were turned back.
"In Orangefield in East Belfast, 200 students who tried to
leave were chased around the playing fields by teachers but eventually got out.
In Abbey Grammar School in Newry, the senior staff blocked the gates with two
cars and physically prevented 200 people from walking out. Six pupils who
forced their way out by climbing a fence have been threatened with suspension.
"In St Mary’s in West Belfast more than half of those who
wanted to come out were locked in the school. They eventually got out by
running out the back and taking a mile long detour to reach the front gates.
"There were also cases where school gates were locked and
students could not get out. In Grosvenor High School in East Belfast the
students were locked in. A Youth Against the War activist in the school led a
protest of 200 pupils to the gates, protesting both against the war and the
fact that the school was denying them the right to protest.
"Schools have no legal right to lock school gates. It means
that in the event of a fire, accident, or serious illness emergency services
have no access to the schools. We will be contacting the schools about this and
also will defend any student who is suspended as a result. We will also be
contacting the teacher’s unions asking them to instruct their members to refuse to lock up schools or try to physically imprison students in the schools in the event of future protests.
"We are now setting up Youth Against the War groups in every school. We want school students to prepare for an even bigger protest on Day X, the first full school day after the war begins."
End
Youth Against the War Central Spokesperson
David Semple, Our Lady & St. Patricks, Knock: 07745207693
or contact Gary Mulcahy on 90232962