Senator Mehreen Faruqi signs ‘permission slip’ for kids to walk out of school to protest Pauline Hanson – after organiser defended political violence

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi has thrown her support around a rally against One Nation where high school students are urged to walk out of class. 

Student activists are preparing for nationwide anti-Pauline Hanson protests on Thursday.

High School Anticapitalists, a group aligned with Socialist Alternative, is calling on students across Australia to leave class and demonstrate against Hanson and One Nation. 

In a video shared on social media, Faruqi signed a ‘permission slip’ for students to leave school and attend the rally.

‘You’re telling me that the far right is on the rise, that parties like Pauline Hanson’s One Nation want to roll back women’s rights, workers’ rights and environmental protections, that you’re sick of One Nation’s racist, sexist, anti-worker and divisive politics, and want to join thousands of students on Thursday, 13 August, in a protest around the country, and you want my permission?’ she said in the video. 

‘Of course. I hope you’ve made a big sign. Have fun.’

It comes after Yasmine Johnson, education officer for the National Union of Students and an organiser of the protest, appeared on The Party Line podcast on July 14 where she publicly defended political violence.

Johnson was asked whether she stood by a previous statement that ‘acts of violence by an oppressed people against the oppressor are a legitimate political act’.

‘I do stand by that,’ Johnson replied. Johnson is a member of Socialist Alternative.

Promotional material for the rally says students will walk out of classrooms to protest what organisers describe as the growing influence of Hanson and One Nation ahead of upcoming elections.

‘One Nation is now polling at around 30 [per cent], and is rapidly cohering a large following of bigots and sickos,’ organisers said.

‘While the major parties are accommodating for Hanson, adopting her policies, and legitimising anti-abortion and anti-migrant rhetoric, we need an alternative that fights and organises against the far-right.’

‘Hand in hand with the billionaires and the ruling elites, One Nation has a vision for a more authoritarian, hate-filled society for ordinary people, while creating an opulent paradise for billionaires, landlords and ruling elites.’

Johnson has also received public backing Ms Faruqi, who has praised her both on social media and in official statements.

In July, Faruqi wrote: ‘Thank you, Yasmine, for your courage in speaking truth to power.

‘And thank you to every student who has kept showing up, even as universities have become a frontline in the effort to silence the Palestine solidarity movement through the weaponisation of antisemitism.’

Faruqi has also backed Johnson’s involvement in the People’s Inquiry into Campus Free Speech, launched in June.

Johnson appeared in media releases promoting the inquiry.

Praising participants, Faruqi said: ‘The courage and bravery of the staff and students who have contributed to this Inquiry and who continue to speak out are a beacon of hope in these dark times.’

Faruqi described Johnson and other students involved in the inquiry as a ‘beacon of hope’ for continuing to speak out on campus issues.

Johnson, who is Jewish, made national headlines after giving evidence to the Royal Commission into Antisemitism, where she called for the abolition of Israel and reaffirmed her belief that Palestinians have the right to ‘resist violently’

Senator Hanson has blamed left-wing teachers for encouraging the students to protest.

‘Schools should teach young Australians how to think, not what to think,’ she said.

‘If you want to protest something, protest why your parents’ wages are going backwards and the cost of everything is going up.

‘The Labor Greens government is selling out your future, and you’ll inherit a weaker, poorer and less safe country.’

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce also lashed out.

‘They been told to hate this country, and they’ve been advised by people – because it’s not on the students’ own volition – they’ve been advised by a clique of people who have a political purpose,’ Joyce said. 

Senator Hanson’s daughter Lee Hanson, suggested the children had become indoctrinated. 

‘Schools should be places for education, critical thinking and respectful debate – not breeding grounds for political activism or ideological indoctrination,’ she said.

‘Young Australians should be encouraged to hear different points of view and real facts, question ideas and make up their own minds.

‘Teach students how to think – not what to think.

‘Do you honestly believe that three weeks ago those children of their own volition were saying: “I think I’m going to have a political protest against a political party?” No, they just wanted to go to school and play soccer with their mates.

‘Socialist teachers, left-wing teachers are making their statement and using the kids as a prop, and that’s very, very wrong.’