Message from Smiths Falls teenagers to the Taliban: Let girls go back to school!

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“I can go to school every day. Sometimes I feel like I don’t want to. But they can’t at all.”

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The eyes of the western world may have turned from Afghanistan to a new war, but a group of teenagers in Smiths Falls are closely watching the Taliban rulers’ recent outrage.

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A little over a week ago, the Taliban broke their promise to allow girls to return to high school.

The news, delivered during a 9th grade geography class at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute by teacher Emma Hart, sent her students into outraged action.

“It’s terrible!” said Jenna Lucas, 14, recalling her reaction.

“It was really sad to hear that they are not allowed to go to school just because they are girls.

“Our whole class just decided that we need to do something about this.”

In just a few days, Lucas and other students had the principal and school board approve their idea, created posters, arranged a bus, obtained a protest permit from those in power on Parliament Hill, and contacted the media.

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On Friday, 40 students from the school arrived on Parliament Hill to march on the lawn in front of the Peace Tower, holding up signs and shouting “Let Them Learn!” and “Education is a human right!”

“I’m here because I feel like someone needs to stand up for the women and girls who are being denied an education,” said Courtney McMillan, 17, while waving the Afghan flag.

“I can go to school every day. Sometimes I feel like I don’t want to. But they can’t walk at all.

“Actually, it’s disgusting. I don’t even have words for it.”

Her peers used phrases like “amazing” to describe the concept that girls her age are not allowed to go to school.

“I’m here in solidarity with them,” said Jade Parks, 17. “Knowing that people stand by you is very empowering, even in the darkest of times.”

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On March 23, the Taliban reversed an earlier decision to reopen girls’ high schools that week, according to the New York Times. The rulers said the schools would remain closed “until officials finalize a plan for their reopening in accordance with Islamic law.”

“The news was devastating for the more than one million high school-aged girls who grew up in an era of opportunity for women before the Taliban took power last August – and who woke up ecstatic, on (3 23,)” reported the Times.

Geography teacher Hart said her students are “phenomenal.” They came up with the idea of ​​a rally on Parliament Hill and organized it, using social media to spread the message, she said.

More students wanted to come, but they were only able to secure one bus, she said. Students from other classes also took part.

“These kids aren’t afraid to stand up for their beliefs,” Hart said.

“Many of us say there is nothing we can do. That is no excuse for doing nothing.”

Principal Terry Gardiner said he was “really touched” when students approached him with the idea of ​​a rally in support of girls in Afghanistan.

He said students also received a lesson on how to organize a protest “the right way”: get a permit, speak out peacefully on Parliament Hill and then return home.

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Students from Smiths Falls and the District Collegiate Institute organized their protest on Parliament Hill at short notice in support of girls in Afghanistan.
Students from Smiths Falls and the District Collegiate Institute organized their protest on Parliament Hill at short notice in support of girls in Afghanistan. Photo by ERROL MCGIHON /mail media

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