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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Student protests and District 81

I laughed when I read it: Students must get permission to protest.

Whoever those people are that proposed this policy, they are apparently younger than 60 and practicing the same ignorance of history that so many social and education critics lament. In a school system!

You can’t seek permission to protest. That’s an oxymoron. The point of protest is disruption, alarm, impertinence, outrageous, risk! The safety excuse is the one used, always, to protect the status quo. Status quo is what the gun safety protest is about. The systems unable to endure protest fail fastest.

Those of us who support the issue, and the civic education of these students, should also support them. They don’t need our permission to act on their beliefs, in my view. They merit my appreciation and applause.

John Hancock

Spokane

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