The valedictorian at a west Ottawa high school says she’s been told not to come to school Monday after she made pro-Palestinian remarks during a speech at her commencement ceremony.
Elizabeth Yao largely focused on highlights from the past four years at Bell High School during her speech on Thursday, including a memorable waffle fundraiser and the days spent dozing off while reading Shakespeare.
Her comments on the war in Gaza came at the end, after a land acknowledgement.
“As a commitment to truth and reconciliation, I must acknowledge colonial and genocidal atrocities today, including the massacre of more than 17,000 Palestinian children in Gaza,” Yao said, breaking off as the crowd cheered.
So, the valedictorian was a good student and learned the lessons of history and the values that we would hope for her to learn. Good for her.
I would have been very disappointed to have a principal under me make a choice like that during my career.
The student should receive a public apology from the principal and be allowed to finish her school year with dignity alongside her classmates.
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