Melbourne, AUSTRALIA – High school and university students gathered recently on the streets of Melbourne to show support for Palestinians.
The student strike, which included a trek to the State Library, was in protest of Israeli aggression against Palestinians and against the Australian government’s inaction and the Victorian premier’s comments about the protests.
Jacinta Allan, the Victorian premier, has continually condemned pro-Palestine protesters, expecting students to remain in school. The cancellation of the opening of the Myer Christmas windows due to protesters prompted Allan to call protesters “morons” at a recent press conferences.
While some young people are missing school to attend rallies, others are simply attending when they are not in class.
Tram services on one of the city’s main roads, Swanston Street – home to the historic Flinders Street Station – were only temporarily disrupted as the group were cooperative with police monitoring them.
This exemplification of peaceful protests poses a question of the necessity of the premier’s insulting language and the potential of a protest permit scheme by the Victorian government.
The reprimanding of students for attending strikes sparked rage for some students across the state.
The voices of young people should not be gagged, but amplified in a world where supposed distant societal and global issues have become reality and the future for this generation.
Since October 7, 2023, weekly rallies on Sundays in front of the State Library have continued.
The International Criminal Court sent out arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, accusing them of the war crime of starvation and crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution and intentionally directing an attack on civilians.
Since the court took action, global anger and rage for the current situation of the Palestinians will inevitably increase until inaction ceases.
Katherine Phan is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
