Peaceful protest is a powerful tool and one Foothills Composite students were able to utilize to get their message across last week.
A walkout was held at the Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts on Nov. 25 with more than 100 students expressing their displeasure on a number of issues from mental health supports, to refining the sex-ed education and accountability for harassing behaviour and lack of safety in bathrooms.
Organizer Elle Lomas spoke of the need for a more comprehensive sex-ed program with sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, consent, contraception and LGBTQ2S+ education among the topics they would like discussed in the classroom.
Safety around bathrooms was also emphasized along with accountability for harassing behaviour.
Lomas noted the issues are widespread and much bigger than their school.
The protest build off the momentum of similar walkouts held at Calgary’s Western Canada and Central Memorial high schools. Lomas noted staff, principals and administration at Foothills Composite has been supportive of the walkout.
School administration showed support for the students with principal Vince Hunter noting the walkout was about students expressing how they feel and asking the adults to listen and be responsive.
Following the walkout, organizers noted the school will be adding breathing rooms for students to take a break and decompress. The rooms had previously been in place were removed and will once again be part of the school.
Students should have a voice and a receptive audience and it sounds like that’s the case here in Okotoks.
