Students across Windsor-Essex lent their voices to a growing chorus of concern directed at Ontario's government.
Shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday, students at both elementary and high schools across the region began walking out of class as a sign of unity. Students across Ontario walked out of school to protest planned cuts to education by the Ontario government.
Students at Essex District High School.
A large rally took place at that hour outside Walkerville Collegiate Institute in Windsor. At least 200 students calmly filed out the front door and took their places outside the historic building. They then held up colourful signs, chanted, and heard speeches from student organizers, as well as activist Remy Boulbol and Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky, who said it was important that students made their case known and their message goes all the way to Queen's Park.
"Get on social media to tweet the premier and the minister. Get on Facebook, Instagram, send emails to let this government know that they're not going to stand for what the government's trying to do to the education system," said Gretzky.
Students at Leamington District Secondary School.
Organizer Taryn McEvoy, a Grade 12 student at Walkerville Collegiate, said the walkout was a golden opportunity to get students involved in the political process and let those in charge know how they feel about certain decisions.
"It's important to make sure that the government is held accountable for their actions and that we need to make sure that students' voices are loud and powerful," said McEvoy. "It's their education that's being injured right now."
Students also protested proposed cuts by the government to programs that help students with autism or learning disabilities. Grade 10 student Louis Brady, who is dyslexic and has ADHD, is among those who depend on the assistance.
"I do not agree with the budget cuts that he [Premier Doug Ford] is making to that program because, with these things, I am getting help from the school board and passing my classes," said Brady. "Without them, there's a big chance that I might not make it to college or university."
Walkouts were also held at schools such as Windsor's Kennedy Collegiate, St. Joseph's Secondary, and Vincent Massey Secondary, as well as Essex District High School, Tecumseh Vista and St. Anne's Catholic High School in Lakeshore.
