A decision by Northern Secondary School to suspend a student over a speech about a soccer team caused public outrage, but now the school is reversing the ruling and wiping the suspension off the student’s record.
“I think we need to look at this case and recognize that students have a right to comment and criticize how schools are run,” said Kara Zwibel, program director for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA).
Emil Cohen had been asked to speak at an academic assembly last December. The 17-year-old took the opportunity to publicly address the lack of support for the school’s soccer team.
When the school responded to the surprise speech by suspending Cohen and revoking his athletic privileges, there was much public criticism. Just after, more than 100 students attended a rally outside of the school and the CCLA wrote a letter to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) protesting the decision.
While Cohen said he hasn’t received an official apology, he considers the suspension-record reversal, in addition to the restoration of his athletic privileges, an unspoken apology.
“It’s not really a personal triumph. It’s a triumph for freedom of speech,” said Cohen.
Genna Schnurbach, spokes-person for the TDSB, said she preferred not to comment. “Emil’s family agreed that discussions should be conducted privately,” she said.