Valedictorian told to stay home after making pro-Palestinian remarks in grad speech | CBC News (2025-06-16)cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/vale------h/t mastodon.social/@RealJournalis>> 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.>> Her comments on the war in Gaza came at the end...>> "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," ... the crowd cheered.>> The next day, ... a call from her principal, who said her statements had "caused harm" and told her she shouldn't come to school on Monday. >> That decision is being criticized by some as going against Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (#OCDSB) policy, and Yao said she stands by her speech.#Canada @palestine@lemmy.ml @palestine@a.gup.pe