![\"A](\"https:\/\/canada-info.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/extra-image-500x500.jpg\")
Walkout participants changed their Google Meets icon to the walkout logo to express why they were walking out. Photo courtesy of Kyla Gibson.<\/p><\/div>\n
At 9:30 a.m., walkout participants changed their Google Meets icon to the student walkout logo before leaving their class video calls. The event organizers then hosted a virtual assembly that featured spoken word poetry, educational talks on the walkout\u2019s calls to action and a video of George Floyd\u2019s family.<\/p>\n
Kyla Gibson, one of the organizers of the event, said the idea for the event came after a safe space meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a safe space where all Black students across OCDSB were welcome,\u201d Gibson said. \u201cAnd we had the idea to do a walkout on May 25, which is the anniversary of George Floyd\u2019s murder.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gibson said that she has seen some encouraging changes in equity efforts by OCDSB but, she said there is still work to be done. To enforce the necessity of continued advocacy work, the theme of the walkout was \u201cThis is Just the Beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving meetings is always super important but it\u2019s really taking action that makes a difference,\u201d Gibson said. \u201cRather than just saying, \u2018this needs to happen,\u2019 it\u2019s demanding that it happens which will really make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the walkout\u2019s virtual assembly, Gibson and other speakers spoke up about future actions for Black students and allies to participate in and explained their four calls to action.<\/p>\n
The organizers of the walkout called on OCDSB to rebuild high school instructional material to be more inclusive, eliminate the presence of police Student Resource Officers in schools, ensure Black students have support from Black counsellors and require a roundtable discussion between the heads of Black student clubs, student trustees, and student senators.<\/p>\n
\u201cI talked to teachers, and we will be sending out our calls to action directly to the board,\u201d Gibson said.<\/p>\n
After the event, Gibson said she received feedback from attendees who felt empowered by the walkout. She said she feels good about the impact the walkout had and she hopes the speeches at the virtual assembly will help people to become better allies and advocates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that a lot of students have been struggling to be allies to those who are marginalized,\u201d Gibson said. \u201cI\u2019ve had students reach out to me and say, \u2018thank you for putting on this event. I\u2019ve learned so much and now I know how to continue in my activism.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n