The walkout is promoted as a way to honor Oct 7 as part of the “heroic Palestinian resistance” and a “great achievement for the Palestinian liberation movement.”
Anti-Israel activist groups are organizing mass student walkouts across Seattle-area public schools and colleges on October 7, the second anniversary of Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel. Flyers and social media posts from far-left organizations, including the Issaquah Student League and WA Walkout for Palestine, some of which only recently became active, are promoting the demonstrations as a way to honor the anniversary of the massacre the activists describe as the “heroic Palestinian resistance” and a “great achievement for the Palestinian liberation movement.”
Last year, students in 16 area schools participated. The student groups are being urged to rally in Cal Anderson Park, site of the deadly 2020 Autonomous Zone, and most recently where Antifa activists targeted a peaceful Christian concert.
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View on XThe materials circulating online glorify the October 7 massacre, when Hamas terrorists raped, tortured, and murdered over 1,200 Israelis, kidnapped 250, and wounded thousands. The flyers describe the atrocities as “one of the most important events of our lifetime” and demand the abolition of Israel.
“One State of Palestine from the River to the Sea,” the release of convicted Palestinian terrorists, and an end to all US aid to Israel. The flyers also condemn Israel defending itself with US assistance against attacks from Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran.
Issaquah High School was among the first local schools to acknowledge the walkout plans. Principal Erin Connolly sent an email to families addressing safety concerns and clarifying the school’s position.
In the letter obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, she emphasized that while students have First Amendment rights to peaceful assembly under district regulations, walkouts will be treated as unexcused absences. The email noted that recent unapproved posters advertising the event were removed from school property and warned that any harassment, intimidation, discriminatory behavior, or property damage would not be tolerated.
“Only current students and staff are permitted on school grounds during the day,” Connolly wrote. “If some students choose to walk out, families should understand that once students leave campus, the school cannot supervise their actions.”
The planned demonstrations have sparked concern among Seattle’s Jewish community. The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) has circulated a template letter for parents and students to send to administrators at participating schools, urging them to act responsibly in the face of inflammatory rhetoric.
The letter argues that the language used by organizers “paints Israel as uniquely evil and illegitimate,” fueling antisemitic attitudes at a time when threats against Jewish institutions in Seattle are near-daily occurrences. It also warns that the walkouts could create an environment where harassment or intimidation of Jewish students is tolerated.
“While I acknowledge that it is important for students to be able to express freedom of speech, these protests can often lead to a substantial disruption within the school day and for individuals, particularly for Jewish and Israeli students,” the JCRC template reads, citing the Supreme Court’s Tinker v. Des Moines decision.
The protests are part of a larger effort across the US to celebrate the Oct. 7 anniversary as a victory for Palestinians.
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