Pupils protest against McGuinness
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PROTESTANT PUPILS from schools across Northern Ireland staged walkouts yesterday in protest at the appointment of Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as Education Minister.
Classes of at least six schools were suspended after pupils walked out and, in one case, staged a march into Belfast city centre. Teachers say they cannot physically prevent children leaving their classes or school buildings. They, and trade union sources, said they were worried about the safety aspects of children overflowing on to the streets and about politics being brought into the classroom.
Mr McGuinness said he would not be deflected by the protests, which he claimed were co-ordinated by the Rev Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist party. The DUP said that, while they were not organising the protests, they supported the moves. David Trimble, the First Minister, sought to calm the situation by indicating that Mr McGuinness, as Education Minister, did not have unilateral powers, and would have to produce policies in concert with colleagues on the new executive.
Pupils at some of the protests waved Union and Ulster flags, chanting: "We want Paisley" and singing Orange songs with lyrics such as "We're up to our necks in Fenian blood, surrender or you'll die." Many on the march exhibited not so much indignant protest but what looked suspiciously like elation at missing classes for the day. The DUP's Ian Paisley Jnr said: "This idea that we manipulate children is just nonsense."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments