Thousands of school kids walk out of class to protest Pauline Hanson: ‘She’s a disgusting nationalist’
Thousands of school and university students across Australia walked out of classes to take part in nationwide "Say No to Pauline Hanson" protests against the One Nation leader, with rallies held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Wollongong and Newcastle. The demonstrations, organised by the National Union of Students alongside the Socialist Alternative-linked "High School Anti Capitalists" group, reflect growing youth-led opposition to Hanson and One Nation's policies, which protesters accuse of being racist, sexist and anti-worker. Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi publicly backed the walkouts, posting a video "signing" a permission slip encouraging students to attend.
Around 300 people were reported to have joined the Sydney rally alone, carrying anti-Hanson placards and signs supporting transgender rights, with organisers saying turnout nationwide exceeded their expectations after the campaign spread on social media. Students interviewed said they were protesting what they saw as Hanson's racist and divisive politics, with some claiming most of their classmates had left school to attend despite objections from teachers. Organiser Avasa Bhattacharya said the National Union of Students hoped the protests would spur further demonstrations, while Hanson herself blamed left-wing teachers for encouraging the walkouts, arguing schools should teach students "how to think, not what to think".
- Students nationwide walked out to protest Pauline Hanson and One Nation
- Rallies held in eight Australian cities, ~300 in Sydney alone
- Hanson blames left-wing teachers; organisers plan further protests
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Pauline Hanson is an Australian senator who leads the right-wing One Nation party. She first became prominent in the 1990s and has remained a controversial political figure because of her views on immigration, multiculturalism, national identity and Indigenous Australians.
One Nation has generally argued for lower immigration and stricter rules around citizenship and integration. Its supporters say it raises concerns they believe are ignored by larger parties, while critics say some of its policies and language can divide communities.
Student walkouts are a form of protest in which pupils leave lessons to draw attention to an issue. They have been used in Australia and elsewhere on subjects including climate change, war and social justice, and can show that political debates are also affecting younger people.