I cannot believe what my school did!
I do not enjoy spreading negativity, but I cannot be silent anymore. There is no word for the fury I feel in regards of my school, and how they can without a doubt in mind control us when we are doing what they have always told us to do. We have been taught to speak up in times of need and yet they are pushing us down.
As some of you might know, on Friday February 15th two dozen Aberystwyth pupils including myself (Laura Jones) gathered outside of Ceredigion County Council for the international school strike for the climate. Together with students from all around the world, we called out for our politicians to take action. Everyone at school were excited about the strike and wanted to participate. Since we were all talking about the strike several weeks in advance, I thought we were going to be quite the large group outside of the County Council, but as I mentioned there were 24 of us. Later I found out that many of my schoolmates were held back from participating. The school demanded parental permission from every single pupil, but even some who had gotten permission from a parent were not allowed to leave the school premises. At times, I feel nothing but embarrassment for my school. It is completely ridiculous!
While physically forcing some of my mates to stay in school, the school claimed that there was no event going on. What do they think we are, complete idiots? Of course, there was an event; we were the event! And if they do not believe us, here is proof:
Here you can see some of my schoolmates at Canolfan Rheidol protesting.
The school was not only wrong in refusing students to participate, they were also breaking the law! It is our right to protest and speak up, and we will not tolerate this suppression of free speech from our school. Aberystwyth is better than this, and Ysgol Penglais is as well. I hope that for the next school strike (which will take place soon), our school will know better than to hold us back like they did back in February.
Much Love,
Laura Jones
Much Love,
Laura Jones
That’s so unfair of the school! You are completely correct - It's your right to protest and speak up. The school shouldn’t even have tried to stop you and the other students from participating. I hope you had a good time protesting, and that the next time all of you will be able to participate.
SvarSlett- Lauren ‹3