NEW YORK – Hundreds of New York City Public School Students, educators and parents staged a strike Thursday, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Students and teachers who walked out of Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn said that in addition to calling for a ceasefire, they were also calling for an end to U.S. support for Israel.
They left their classrooms at 11:30 a.m.
At least 75 New York City public high schools are participating in the walkout.
Students, educators and families across New York City are uniting in what they consider a day of action. “The Schools Out for #CeasefireNOW” day of action is organized by several student organizations. Educators and school staff also participate.
New York Public Schools released a statement saying “hate and intolerance of any kind have no place in our schools or workplaces” and adding “All employees must ensure that that the expression of their personal political opinions be separate from their work and that employees can express their personal opinions outside of the workday and the workplace, in a manner that does not disrupt the school or location of the employee’s work.
“We are against the ongoing occupation and genocide in Gaza,” said student Mahdy Shahin. “I have family there, but for now they are in the safe zone.”
“Everyone has the right to stand down and support what they believe in, and they have the right to support what is right,” said student Mahriaelle Fam.
The students who walked out are expected to meet at Bryant Park and hold a rally there at 3 p.m.
Thousands are expected.
This event comes as US officials say Israel agreed to daily four-hour humanitarian breaks during fightingfrom Thursday.
The Israelis informed the United States that there would be no military operations in those areas for the duration of the pauses, and the schedule would be announced each day three hours before the pause began, according to U.S. officials.