Hundreds of students have defied politicians and rallied at Town Hall in Sydney in support of Palestine, The Guardian reports.

A raucous, bouncing crowd chanted, whooped and cheered amid speeches that called for an end to the bombardment of Gaza and for a free Palestine.

Holding signs such as “proudly marked absent today” and “get in, we’re freeing Gaza”, the students of all ages demanded political leaders call for a ceasefire.

Organiser and speaker Noura told the crowd the strike was called in solidarity with the students of Gaza who have seen the school year cancelled amid Israel’s bombardment.

Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi said she was “proud” of young people in Australia, after a similar school strike was held yesterday in Melbourne.

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