By PEACE IJIYERA
STUDENTS around Australia walked out of class last Thursday (August 13), in protest against One Nation and Pauline Hanson.
From the Latrobe Valley, students ensured their voices were heard, with some making their way to Melbourne and the main protest at the State Library.
Other students from local high schools walked out of class at 2pm and gathered under the same cause.
The ‘students say no to Hanson’ nationwide protest was organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) and joined by the High School Anti-Capitalists groups.
Local Year 10 student, Rosa, took the day off school to attend the protest. She described the atmosphere in the streets of Melbourne as “passionate”.
“We were protesting against Pauline Hanson … we’re basically just protesting all her polices and just the fact that she’s really racist and sexist and horrible,” she said.
“There was a lot of anger, but it wasn’t violent, it was just like towards the right cause.”
Hanson is no stranger to students protesting against her. In the 1990s, students held demonstrations against her during her early years in politics.
On the morning of the protest, Hanson took to Facebook expressing her disapproval of the protests.
“Schools should teach young Australians how to think, not what to think,” she said.
“If you want to protest something, protest why your parents’ wages are going backwards and the cost of everything is going up.
“The Labor Greens government is selling out your future, and you’ll inherit a weaker, poorer and less safe country.
“Whether you know it or not, One Nation and I are fighting for you.”
When asked if she felt like One Nation and Hanson were fighting for the youth, Rosa replied, “no”.
“I do not feel she’s representing us at all. A lot of the stuff she’s said about immigration and the fact that she’s so open about her relationship with a billionare … I do not think she’s standing up for us at all.”
One Nation candidate for Eastern Victoria Region, and retired schoolteacher, Greg Hansford, told the Express that it’s promising to see that the youth care about politics, though he questions if students would have the same energy for other political parties.
“I’ve got nothing against that … I think it’s good that students take an interest in what’s going on around them in society. So, if they’ve got concerns, well I think it’s great that they protest about these things,” he said.
“One thing I suppose that’s on my mind, is that our state owes almost $199 billion, we’re paying almost $28 million a day in interest on that. And I’m just wondering whether they would be protesting against something like that which is a pretty grave situation that’s going to affect them in their lifetimes.”
Holding up handmade signs that read, “Don’t let racists into our politics”, and “One Trump is enough”, local students were met with support from cars honking as they drove by, but also some people showing support for the party.
In response to Hanson’s belief that educators should teach students how to think, rather than what to think, local student Stephanie said students were able to make up their own mind.
“Our teachers don’t tell us what to think at all, they teach us critical thinking skills. Honestly, it’s up to us. Many kids don’t believe in what we believe in and that is okay,” she said.
Polls show that One Nation’s popularity is rising. Stephanie thinks propaganda is the reason.
The consensus from students from different local high schools is that the education around voting and politics is not enough in the curriculum.
“We have classes about it … there should be more classes on it … not even the politics, just how propaganda works and how your vote matters,” Rosa said.
Some students said they get their political views from social media but ensure they fact check. Others said their family’s opinions influence their way of thinking.
Students were clear in their desire to be heard and not be taken as a joke by older generations.
“I am not of voting age, and I know there’s been a lot of arguments that the youth shouldn’t get involved in protests and politics because they can’t vote yet,” Rosa said.
“But the next election, I’m going to be able to vote, a lot of youth is going to be able to vote.”
Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare, disapproved of students missing school, and suggested they do demonstrations on weekends instead.
A local principal had this to say in regard to students walking out.
“While we strongly believe that students benefit most from being at school, engaged in their learning and supported by their teachers, we also recognise that young people are increasingly interested in issues that matter to them and may wish to express their views.”
“Although we do not encourage students to miss class, we are not in a position to prevent them from engaging in a respectful and peaceful protest.
“We respect their right to express their opinions and support their ability to do so in a safe, considerate and responsible manner.”
Round two of the protests is scheduled for Thursday, September 17.
