Senator Mehreen Faruqi signs ‘permission slip’ for kids to walk out of school to protest Pauline Hanson – after organiser defended political violence
Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi has publicly backed a planned nationwide protest against One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, in which high school students are being encouraged to walk out of class. In a video posted online, Faruqi issued students a symbolic "permission slip" to skip school and join the demonstration, framing it as a response to what she and organisers describe as the growing influence of far-right politics on issues such as women's, workers' and environmental rights. The rally has drawn scrutiny because one of its organisers, Yasmine Johnson, recently defended the idea that political violence can be legitimate.
The protest, organised by High School Anticapitalists and linked to Socialist Alternative, is planned for Thursday 13 August across Australia, with organisers citing One Nation's polling of around 30 per cent as cause for concern. Johnson, education officer for the National Union of Students, stood by earlier comments that "acts of violence by an oppressed people against the oppressor" can be legitimate, and has separately called for the abolition of Israel while affirming a belief in Palestinians' right to "resist violently". Faruqi has previously praised Johnson as a "beacon of hope" for her activism, including her role in a campus free speech inquiry, while Hanson has accused left-wing teachers of encouraging the walkout and argued schools should teach students how to think rather than what to think.
- Faruqi backs student walkout to protest against Pauline Hanson's One Nation
- Rally organiser Yasmine Johnson has defended political violence as "legitimate"
- Hanson blames left-wing teachers for encouraging the school protest
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters may argue that pupils should be able to take part in peaceful political expression, particularly where they feel a public figure’s views affect their communities. A senator’s support for a permission note can be seen as recognising young people’s civic agency while leaving parents and schools to make the final decision. They may also contend that an organiser’s alleged past remarks should not negate the right of others to protest non-violently.
The case against
Critics may argue that elected representatives and schools should not encourage children to leave lessons for a partisan demonstration, especially when a prominent organiser is reported to have defended political violence. They may say that safeguarding, educational continuity and a clear rejection of intimidation matter more when young people are involved. On this view, support for the walkout risks appearing to legitimise a movement without adequate scrutiny of those leading it.