CTV News said that hundreds of students walked out of their classrooms on the morning of Wednesday, June 18, at a Catholic high school in Gloucester, Ottawa, protesting against discrimination against the Palestinian people.
More than 300 students left their classrooms at St. Francis Xavier High School at 9:25 a.m.
Anas Aref, a student who participated in the march, said, "The Catholic school board does not show interest in Palestine throughout this crisis."
Adding, "They have shown interest in other issues, but when it comes to Palestine, the board takes a gray stance."
Students from ninth to twelfth grade left during the first morning period.
Gina Mustafa, an eleventh-grade student, said, "I am here because I fully support Palestine."
Adding, "They have gone through many years of injustice, and I think it's really good for us as a school to protest, no one really knows what is happening in Palestine."
The group marched in a demonstration and blocked Limebank Road to Earl Armstrong Road, carrying flags and banners.
Lana Al-Homsi, an eleventh-grade student, also said, "I am here to support the protest for Palestine."
Adding, "This means a lot to me."
The Ottawa Catholic School Board spokesperson was not available to comment on camera, but in a statement, the board said, "The school respects the students' right to advocate for issues that matter to them."
Explaining, "We encourage students to meet with members of their administrative team to discuss ways to express their concerns without disrupting their attendance in class."
The board also said in the statement, "About 100 students out of 300 left, then actually returned to class after the protest."
Aref said, "We all came together for one main reason, which is to raise awareness, and we hope the school board sees that and will be motivated to help other students raise awareness, fundraise, and help in any possible way."
The board mentioned that parents were notified on Tuesday about the planned protest.
An official spokesperson said that the principal has started conducting more discussions on the subject.