High school students are also mobilizing. This Monday, May 6, a blockade was initiated by students at the Montesquieu establishment in Bordeaux, under the leadership of the High School Union. They are demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and want to pay tribute to the victims, both Palestinian and Israeli.
The blockade took shape very early on Monday, May 6. A little before the start of the first classes, high school students from the Montesquieu establishment in Bordeaux gathered to make their voices heard, and above all to make those of the victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resonate. “We must not remain silent”, proclaims Lili Rose, a final year student at the Gironde high school.
Students could still enter the establishment.
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© Marie Neuville / F3 Aquitaine
After universities and high schools, the movement is gradually taking hold in high schools, driven by a call to come together from the High School Union. “We will not be silent. Until a ceasefire is obtained and the recognition of the Palestinian state, we will remain mobilized.” wrote this Monday Gwenn Thomas-Alvesspokesperson for the union on X (formerly Twitter).
For me, what is happening in Gaza is genocide. Our politicians should stop defending Israel at all costs, because what is happening there is really nonsense.
JosephSenior high school student
In Montesquieu, the students insist. “We’re trying to do something peaceful,” insists Joseph, a final year student. Out of the question for the mobilized young people to hinder entry to the establishment for students, like teachers, who can enter and leave as they wish despite the cancellation of morning classes. “The management tried to prevent us from making this movement by telling us that the crowd created in front of the high school went against the strict Vigipirate plan, adds Joseph. But by having a calm discussion with them, we managed to continue the blockade. For the moment, there is no tension.” Contacted by France 3 Aquitaine, the management of the establishment did not wish to comment on the subject, nor even the rectorate.
On the gate of the establishment, signs remind us of the message conveyed by the gathering. “We don’t want any more death”, “Free Gaza”. Sitting on the sidewalk, the students perform minutes of applause and songs of support for Palestine. “We do what we can at our level, we try to bring people together in tribute to the victims, whether on the Israeli side or the Palestinian side, supports Iris, a final year student at Montesquieu. We try to chat with all the students who pass by, to explain to them why we are doing this in a young spirit, we sing, we clap and all that, it shows our support in our own way.”
We just want the violence to stop, we want the State to act, whether by putting pressure on a ceasefire or by sending more humanitarian aid.
Irisfinal year high school student
The student union’s statement “Let’s block our high schools for Palestine” calls on high school students to maintain blockades throughout France for two days, until Tuesday May 7. The previous week, several pro-Palestinian gatherings had been evacuated by the police, including that of Sciences Po in Paris. On the Bordeaux side, a mobilization took place peacefully on Tuesday April 30.
“It is important that young people engage in battles, argues Lili Rose. We would like a ceasefire, recognition of Palestine and the release of the hostages. Above all, we would like to leave room for the victims.” The blockade is expected to last all day.
