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5| The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,June 21,2018 theifp.ca A crowd of protesters cheered, holding colourful signs as cars slowly come and go, honking at them. The group was protest- ing the administration of Acton High School and its decision to suspend a stu- dent following an incident in which two students were talking about abortion. Reports say the students were talking about a hypo- thetical situation, about what they would do if they were pregnant with a child that would have disabili- ties. One student told anoth- er, who has a disability, that they would abort such child. Offended and hurt by the harsh comments, the student went to the office and the other student was subsequently suspended for bullying. Both students involved in the situation declined to comment. However, one in- dividual close to the situa- tion has said, on the condi- tion of anonymity, that the individual that staff say was being bullied in the conversation had a disabili- ty, and the individuals were talking about a hypotheti- cal situation. "We're out here because we're supporting our friends and freedom of speech," said Chelsie Rouse, a grade 9 student at the school. She and other protesters argue that when the school disciplined the girl for her remarks to the other student, they in- fringed on her freedom of expression. After the incident, oth- ers wore shirts promoting free speech, which staff say built on the bullying of the student and they too were suspended or sent home to change their shirts. "The vice-principal said that it's emotionally abu- sive," said Rouse. "He's choosing one student's edu- cation over the other." Superintendent Scott Podrebarac says that there are limits to free speech and that, when that line is crossed and it hurts anoth- er individual, this qualifies as bullying. "If free speech harms someone, then there is a toll. There are limits to free speech when it harms an in- dividual," said Podrebarac. The Halton District School Board has a set pol- icy on suspending students, which is available on their website. It takes into con- sideration "whether the in- fraction for which the stu- dent might be disciplined was related to any harass- ment of the student because of race, colour, ethnic ori- gin, place of origin, reli- gion, creed, disability, gen- der or gender identity, sex- ual orientation or harass- ment for any other reason." The policy states that a student can be suspended for "disorderly conduct, persistent opposition to au- thority, conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school or to the physical or mental well being of others in the school." Rouse and other stu- dents skipped class to pro- test and say that staff do not want them returning to school for the day if they are leaving to protest. "Once we walk out of the school and come over here, we're not allowed to go back," said Rouse. Students who entered the school with T-shirts and signs were escorted out by a police officer on site. Jerry Marshall came out to protest with his daughter and said that he stands be- hind her decision to come out. "As soon as I heard the story I was upset from the get-go," said Marshall. NEWS Free speech protest held outside Acton High School Chelsie Rouse is a Grade 9 student at Acton High School and says that staff would not allow students leaving to protest to return to class later Friday. Alexandra Heck/Metroland ALEXANDRA HECK aheck@metroland.com 33-1214 Tropical 10" Hibiscus assorted varieties Sale $1499 33-0043 Fresh Shipment of 2 Gal Macrophylla Hydrangea's $1699 From Reg 14.99 33 3800x Fresh Shipment of 10" Hanging Baskets $999 From 33-5602 Emerald Cedars $2499 33-5306 All in stock Roses All in Stock Fruit Trees 50% oFF 33-2502 $1499 Fresh shipment of 10" Majesty Palms Sale Price 33-4907X Fresh Shipment of 1 & 2 Gal Perennials 33-2418X All In Stock Mandevilla on Sale now $799 From 33-6206X All In-stock 10 gallon Maples 40% oFF (including Japanese) MAkE THE MoST oF youR BACkyARd New Store Hours Mon. - Fri. 8-9, Sat. 8-6, Sun. 9-5 Service HoursMon. - Fri. 7:30-9, Sat. 7:30-6, Sun. 9-5 Advertised items are available only at Georgetown Canadian Tire, 315 Guelph Street Items may not be exactly as shown. We reserve the right to limit quantities. No rainchecks. Weekend Savings We Sell Canadian Flags Pond Plants up to 50% OFF - Summer Clearance on nowPre 7g Container Grown $899 From up to 33-7160X 30% oFF