Approximately 120 students walked out onto the football field to call for a cease-fire and peace in the Israel-Hamas war on Nov. 16 during Viking Time. The walkout began with speeches by Muslim Student Association and South Asian Student Association officers followed by a minute of silence for the lives lost on both sides and ended with chants such as “cease-fire now,” “we demand peace” and “one two three four, occupation no more.” The walkout was organized by the MSA, South Asian Student Association and Black Student Union. Junior Yameena Shameem (she/her), a co-president of MSA, said that one of her goals was to get more people to talk about the war.
“I think one of the main things that I was really hurt about is that our district kind of ignores this topic and barely talks about it,” Shameem said.
Shameem said she previously heard many people at school talking about conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war but has not heard as many students talk about the Israel-Hamas war.
“I remember there was a lesson about [the Russia-Ukraine war] in history,” Shameem said. “But this conflict is different for some reason. And I think that’s because people think that this conflict has religious ties, and people are making it seem like there are religious ties.”
Junior Inaya Naveed (she/her), a co-president of MSA, said another goal of the walkout was to educate people on what’s happening in Israel and Gaza.
“I feel like a lot of people don’t really know about what’s happening in Palestine and Israel, and I feel like this would be a good chance to be educated on at least a little bit of what’s happening,” Naveed said.
Senior Ash Abdalla Haddad (they/he), who participated in the walkout, said it’s important to continue the conversation through social media and by reaching out to state representatives.
“If you talk about it, you will make a difference. If you post about it, you will make a difference, even if you’re one person in the community,” Haddad said.
Shameem also encouraged students to contact their state representatives and the White House if they want a cease-fire.
“I just want people to understand — [people] who don’t want to choose a side — we’re not here to choose a side,” Shameem said. “We’re here to call for our government to have a cease-fire for innocent lives on both sides of the conflict.”
