SAN ANTONIO – Only a handful of students gathered outside a local high school Tuesday morning to protest the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, despite expectations of a larger turnout.
About six or seven students could be seen waving Palestinian flags. Several participants told reporters that they had anticipated more students joining the demonstration, but said the school district’s recent statement discouraging participation may have influenced attendance.
The district’s statement, issued last week, urged students to refrain from joining the protest. Officials have not provided further details about the language or enforcement of that guidance.
The students present emphasized that the demonstration was intended to be peaceful and nonviolent, and framed their gathering as an exercise of their First Amendment rights.