AGM comments on Valedictorian told to stay home after making pro-Palestinian remarks in grad speech

Valedictorian told to stay home after making pro-Palestinian remarks in grad speech (www.cbc.ca)

submitted 1 year ago by HellsBelle@sh.itjust.works to c/canada@lemmy.ca

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The valedictorian at a west Ottawa high school says she's been told not to come to school Monday after she made pro-Palestinian remarks during a speech at her commencement ceremony.

Elizabeth Yao largely focused on highlights from the past four years at Bell High School during her speech on Thursday, including a memorable waffle fundraiser and the days spent dozing off while reading Shakespeare.

Her comments on the war in Gaza came at the end, after a land acknowledgement.

"As a commitment to truth and reconciliation, I must acknowledge colonial and genocidal atrocities today, including the massacre of more than 17,000 Palestinian children in Gaza," Yao said, breaking off as the crowd cheered.

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[–] AGM@lemmy.ca 36 points 1 year ago (1 child)

So, the valedictorian was a good student and learned the lessons of history and the values that we would hope for her to learn. Good for her.

I would have been very disappointed to have a principal under me make a choice like that during my career.

The student should receive a public apology from the principal and be allowed to finish her school year with dignity alongside her classmates.