If rain and a wind warning couldn't shut down a planned student-led protest against changes to the sex ed and Indigenous studies curricula Friday afternoon at Guelph City Hall, then neither could a couple of Doug Ford supporters driving down Carden Street in their pick up trucks honking horns and waving flags.
Guelph Police closed down a portion of Carden Street part way through the almost three-hour protest to allow the students to continue
The protest was part of a movement of planned student walkouts across the province in opposition to curriculum changes being made by the Progressive Conservative government led by Premier Doug Ford. The health and physical education curriculum created in 2015 by the previous Liberal government has been replaced with one made 20 years ago.
Ford's name was chanted many times during the event, often preceded by the F word.
Local organizers Sequoia Kim and Elise Kephart said they expected about 500 students. As the event wrapped up and at least seven local schools showed up, Kephart said they may have had as many as 1,000.
"It really shows we have a common mind set and that we the students are the people that Doug Ford is supposed to be representing," said Kephart.
About 10 speakers were planned for the event, but a number of diverse voices were given the opportunity to take the mic, pushing the event to almost three hours in total from the time of the 1 p.m. walkout.
Among the student speakers were Guelph MPP Mike Schriener and current mayoral candidate Aggie Mlynarz. Also in attendance were former MPP Liz Sandals and Liberal candidate Sly Castaldi.
“I ask the Premier to listen to the thousands of students demanding a modern health and physical education curriculum. They are asking for a curriculum that provides them with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the modern world," said Schreiner, in a news release.
Kim said students were making a statement just by the act of walking out of class.
“It’s very empowering, even just to see the number of students who chose to walk out today, because it’s a hard choice to make,” said Kim.
Although the numbers dwindled near the end, the fact that many students stayed almost three hours proves they were not just looking for a chance to cut class, said Kim.
"It’s kind of a wake up call to show we truly care about this and are willing to sacrifice our time and energy.” she said.
At times, high winds blew signs around and rain started and stopped during the event. The students shifted from standing in City Hall's water feature to the shelter of the overhang over the main doors.
Carden Street was closed part way through the protest after pick up trucks were doing laps honking horns and shouting pro Doug Ford slogans.
Kim said the pick up trucks made her feel uncomfortable.
A small number of students set up a table in Market Square and said they were in favour of the changes. They asked students to convince them otherwise.
“There is a constructive way to voice your opposition. I think the people setting up the table having constructive discussions was really valuable because they were able to voice their truth without being rude,” said Kim.
A collection jar was set up near the speakers. Kephart said the funds will go toward the Stop Ontario Sex Education Rollback GoFundMe campaign set up by Guephite Jake Sommerville.
Petitions were also being passed around in support of the campaign.
Even if every student didn't show up for the protest, Kephart hopes the event will have a domino effect in schools across the city.
“Every person who came here today will affect other people moving forward," she said.
