Hundreds of high school and college students across the Puget Sound region walked out of school Tuesday to protest Israel’s fighting in Gaza.
Some gathered outside their school’s front offices, where they listened to student leaders chant into megaphones. Others left school and flocked to Cal Anderson Park in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood to do the same. Anywhere from 20 to 150 students turned out at each of a dozen Seattle-area schools, but overall the protests were calm and low-key.
“We demand a free Palestine,” and “Free, free Palestine,” students chanted at Cal Anderson Park. They carried posters that read “Genocide is never justified” and “Cease-fire now” during a small march down streets in West Seattle.
I really hope they’re calling for divestments. I love the sentiment of “We demand a free Palestine” but unfortunately won’t accomplish much as realistically that’s unattainable from their current situation.
Protesting for university and highschool divestments from Israel/those involved is a much better use of their power in a way that can make long-term strides towards a truly freev Palestine / non terroristic Israel.