Hundreds of local residents turned out Tuesday morning to show their support for keeping Osoyoos schools open. The rally at Osoyoos Secondary School was organized by Brenda Dorosz (with megaphone) and other members of her Save Our Schools (SOS) committee. (Richard McGuire photo)
Hundreds of local residents, including many students, turned out Tuesday morning at Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) to show their opposition to the closure of any Osoyoos schools.
Construction trucks lined the roadway forming a backdrop as students, parents and other local residents waved signs opposing the closures and warning of the damage closing OSS would do to students and the entire Osoyoos community.
- See raw video footage from the rally on YouTube
Originally protesters, organized by the Save Our Schools (SOS) committee and its chair Brenda Dorosz, planned to form a human chain around the school. Dorosz said she was asked that morning by OSS Principal Mike Safek not to bring the protest onto school property.
Safek, however, said he did not prevent students from taking part during the lunch break, but he warned them earlier to be respectful and be aware that the media was watching.
“I think the message got through and the students were allowed to speak,” Dorosz said after the rally. “This all came about from the March 8 meeting when the kids were not allowed to speak. I think their voices were heard today. Thank you to the entire community for coming out.”
Those participating represented a wide cross section of the Osoyoos community — young and old, trades people, business people, students and parents. Numerous businesses closed down for an hour to show support for the students.
Mayor Sue McKortoff and other members of Osoyoos town council also came to the rally to show support.
There was particularly strong representation from members of the Indo-Canadian community.
Kuldeep Rai, an SOS member who has been working with Dorosz, said there was an announcement about the rally at the Sikh temple in Oliver, as well as postings on social media and phone calls.
“We told people this is the last chance and we would like to show our unity in this community,” Rai said, adding she was very pleased with the turnout.
As the crowd marched around cement mixers, tow trucks and other large work vehicles, brought as a show of support, and as students drifted down from the school, with some returning, it was difficult to get a precise count on the number of participants. It’s safe to say there were substantially more than 500, but probably less than 1,000.
Former Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells, who has been vocal against the potential school closing, said he was thrilled by the turnout.
“It’s absolutely fantastic,” said Wells. “It’s a great representation from the town. It’s really rewarding, I think, for the organizers and the people that are working really, really hard to save our schools.”
Wells said that School District 53 should be getting the message from the large turnout at this event, as well as the two public consultation meetings.
“It’s loud and it’s clear,” he said. “But really it’s a provincial issue and I keep putting it back on (Premier) Christy Clark. It’s about time she did something.”
Dorosz said there was earlier discussion of possibly protesting at MLA Linda Larson’s office, but this idea was dropped because Larson isn’t there when the Legislature is sitting and there were concerns about student safety if they travelled to Oliver.
“I’m hoping the message will go all the way to the Victoria Legislature,” Dorosz said. “I’m hoping Christy Clark will listen. We’re not letting people close our schools any more. It can’t happen. We need our kids in our schools.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Students march in opposition to the proposed school closure in Osoyoos. Hundreds of local residents turned out at Osoyoos Secondary School to show their support for the students and their opposition to any school closures in Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire photo)
Students wave banners in front of Osoyoos Secondary School to show their support for keeping Osoyoos schools open. Hundreds of local residents turned out to support the students and protest the proposed closures. Many construction trucks were brought in as a backdrop to the protests. (Richard McGuire photo)
Brenda Dorosz, chair of the Save Our Schools (SOS) committee shouts through a megaphone to be heard above the chants and honking horns. Several hundred local resident, including students, turned out Tuesday morning at Osoyoos Secondary School to protest the proposed school closure. (Richard McGuire photo)
Jamie Elder of Unity Clothing addresses the crowd with the megaphone. In the background is a cement truck from South Okanagan Concrete Products, one of many trucks parked at Osoyoos Secondary School. (Richard McGuire photo)
Kuldeep Rai takes the megaphone to address the many Indo-Canadians who turned out in Punjabi. (Richard McGuire photo)
Many Indo-Canadians came out to participate in the rally, as well as a very large contingent of trades people. (Richard McGuire photo)
A large cross section of the Osoyoos community turned out to send a message to School District 53. (Richard McGuire photo)
Many people carried placards proclaiming their love for Osoyoos schools and warning of sectors of the community that would be devastated by the closure of either school. (Richard McGuire photo)
A wide range of Osoyoos businesses brought their trucks, which they parked in front of Osoyoos Secondary School during the rally. (Richard McGuire photo)
Students, parents, business people — hundreds from the Osoyoos community came out. At right former Mayor Stu Wells chats with a resident. (Richard McGuire photo)
There was excellent representation from people in plumbing, construction, concrete and other trades, many bringing their trucks. Auto builder J.F. Launier, at right, even brought his award-winning care Rivision. (Richard McGuire photo)
Students hold signs and show their support for OSS against a backdrop of concrete trucks. (Richard McGuire photo)
Younger children also participated. Under one proposal by School District 53, Osoyoos Elementary School would be closed and younger children would have to cross Highway 97 to attend school in the current OSS. (Richard McGuire photo)
A group of girls holds up a sign with the message “Save Our Schools.” (Richard McGuire photo)
A crowd of hundreds gathered in front of Osoyoos Secondary School to send a message to School District 53 and the provincial government. (Richard McGuire photo)
