A Sydney teenager has filed a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission after he was banned from attending his coming school formal because he wore a scarf with the keffiyeh pattern to his graduation ceremony.

The teenager, who requested not to be identified, said staff members accused him of making a political statement and prevented him from posing with friends and a senior staff member for a group photograph while he wore his scarf.

The 17-year-old said his older sister handed him the garment as he waited to receive his graduation certificate so he could wear the symbol of his Palestinian heritage on the most important day of his schooling life.

But when the teenager returned to his seat, staff members approached him twice and told him to hand over his scarf.

Two weeks later, the teenager was called to a senior staff member’s office and told that he was not permitted to attend his year 12 formal – to be held next Thursday, November 28 – as a result of his decision to wear the scarf.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    107 hours ago

    How fucking repugnant. Time and time again we see people being punished for bringing attention to what’s happening. For daring not to kneel and kiss the Israeli ring.

    Fucking cunts.

    • Norah - She/They
      link
      fedilink
      English
      65 hours ago

      That isn’t even what happened though. It sounds like she would have given it to him to wear regardless, as it’s an important and special day, and she wanted him to get to be proud of his heritage. It’s just that because of current events the school treated it like a protest. Some teachers can be the most self-aggrandising cunts about things.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        17 minutes ago

        It’s some people’s heritage to wear nazi swastikas. Doesn’t mean it’s acceptable.

        I don’t think wearing a symbol started by the guy who invented airplane hijacking and suicide vests for children is a good one.