Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 17/99) - After taking a day to protest the disqualification of a student council candidate, students are back in class at Sir John Franklin high school.

"Things are getting back to normal," said principal Anne-Mieke Cameron.

"Kids are back to class. They're happy and there's no sign of protest."

Aziz Ahmed, who was forced to withdraw his candidacy after a teacher alleged to have seen him put up offensive posters, similarly said the protest is over.

"It won't happen," Ahmed said of a new election campaign.

"My campaign manager tried hard but (the administration) just won't do it."

A student rally with about 175 students took place Sept. 14 outside the school and at the NACC theatre inside the school.

Students then marched on the board offices to speak with acting superintendent Judith Knapp.

Ahmed said yesterday that he plans to run for Grade 12 rep, a position that will be voted on Monday by the other elected representatives of student council.

Cameron commended Aziz for continuing to be involved in a leadership capacity in the school.

She cited how he had been to a meeting of Students Against Drunk Driving.

"Some of the posters he made are up in the school and will be seen at our open house. They are responsible and appropriate ones," Cameron said.

Despite the reconciliation between Ahmed and the school administration there are still some disgruntled students.

Grade 12 student Stephen Offredi, who ran unsuccessfully for sports representative, said the administration considered all the ballots on which students had written Aziz' name to be spoiled.

That decision affected other positions on the ballot, such as sports representative.

"Some people I talk to still think there should be a new election," he said.

"I've heard there's not going to be and I'm not really happy about that. I think there should be a re-vote but there's nothing we can do about it."

Cameron said the protest had a positive side because it prompted discussion about the appropriateness of the campaign posters and exactly what was offensive about them.

Cameron said Ahmed was seen putting up posters that read "vote for the first black president," "Aziz does women right," and "Free beer on weekends."

Cameron deemed them racist, sexist and inappropriate and asked Ahmed to withdraw after she said he did not show remorse.