13.03.2003

Like a prison

Mark Rutherford school, Bedford

Lara: When we first organised the protest, it was basically done by word of mouth. Everyone was so supportive, it was brilliant. Some people might have been going on strike for not serious reasons, but so much has now come out of it. Other school students now know far, far more about the issues around the war. I know much more now. Even the youngest ones in our school - they're really clued up about it all. Amber: We were worried about doing it at first, but as soon as everyone walked out together it changed. We really enjoyed it all! And we knew we were doing it for a good reason - it wasn't just to get out of lessons. Everyone was angry about the war. But they were angry about other things too. Our school looks like a prison and feels like a prison. So everyone was really pleased that we were able to escape, to get out and do what we wanted to do for once instead of having to do what other people were telling us to do. We had a choice. Lara: Young people are starting to think about things more deeply and asking themselves why people have to die. People under 18 haven't got the right to vote, but they have views about the way the world is run and the things that happen to them. So perhaps a national organisation of some sort would be a good idea for us.