Peaceful protest action takes place outside Redhill School

Update: 21 May at 11am

Redhill School has noted that it was never their intention to suppress or censor any form of debate.

This was according to a statement by executive head Joseph Gerassi and chair on behalf of the trustees Andre Brooking on 20 May.

“The Redhill School Trust, executive team and staff remains fiercely committed to facilitating healthy debate in the spirit of Ubuntu that allows our students to develop their views and knowledge on a number of issues, including the conflict in the Middle East.”

Original story:

Individuals have gathered outside Redhill School in Morningside on 20 May for a peaceful protest.

This follows a recent statement addressed to parents and staff from executive head Joseph Gerassi discouraging learners from discussing the current humanitarian crisis facing the Middle East in school.

The protest expected to last from 7am to 8am, organised by past and present Redhill learners, aims to raise awareness around the statement by Gerassi which they deemed to be ‘insensitive and grossly inappropriate’.

“In the best interests of the Redhill community, one that is multi-cultural, accepting of difference, and supportive of inclusion, I urge families to encourage their children not to discuss this issue at school,” said Gerassi in the statement. 

JMPD said, “It has been brought to the attention of the Department, but a formal application for the protest has not been done, so it has not been authorised by JMPD.”

A marshal at the protest said, “The learners and staff must have the freedom to express their concerns and engage in discussion about any issues.” The group also feel like the school is not fully acknowledging the humanitarian crisis.

At 7.20am, around 100 people had joined the protest, chanting “Hands off Palestine” and displaying placards with different messages such as ‘Free Palestine’. 

Isabella Leslie-Miller, former Redhill Debate Team Captain said, “The Sandton community and the Redhill community need to understand that there isn’t just one viewpoint going around, that is not our reality. Redhill needs to ‘stay in their lane’ and just be a school.”

Social media users immediately reacted to the statement.

A Sandton Chronicle journalist, Chante’ Ho Hip, is at the protest, capturing the thoughts of those gathered.

Upon learning about the outcry caused by the statement, the Chronicle reached out to the school to gather their side of the story on 18 May. To date, no comment from the school has been received. 

*Note: There was an error in the executive head’s quote in the newspaper version of this story which appeared in the Week ending 28 May edition. The newspaper incorrectly quoted the executive head as saying the word ‘cane’ instead of ‘cancel’. The correct version of the quote appears in this online story, and the Sandton Chronicle apologises for the error in the print version.