BY JESS MELVIN
MELBOURNE — Federal education minister David Kemp was shocked to be interrupted mid-speech by screams of "You racist warmonger" during an October 23 forum of 1500 high school students in the Melbourne Town Hall.
Kemp was interrupted by Year 10 student James Crafti, who jumped from a balcony onto the stage and began yelling out slogans against the war and against racism. He was quickly grabbed by federal police and dragged outside as the audience erupted into cheers and calls of support.
Five minutes later, two Year 11 students Zina Shanahan and Jess Melvin ran onto the stage, unfurled a banner reading "Stop this racist war" and began chanting "1, 2, 3, 4, we don't want your racist war". The federal police again moved in.
Kemp and other politicians addressing the forum were then swamped with students' questions and accusations about the war and the refugee crisis during question time.
The action was the first by a new group, HATE WAR, an acronym for High school students Acting To End War And Racism.
The group is planning an anti-war, anti-racism walkout by high school students on November 9, the day before the federal election. Students will gather at Flinders Street Station at 1.30pm, before marching on state parliament.