A fist fight between high school students in Red Deer, Alberta, has turned into a clash over refugees and the place of Islam in Canada.
On Tuesday, dozens of protesters showed up at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in what was advertised as an effort to "stop Islamic terror in our schools"
NOW: protestors at Lindsay Thurber concerned over preferential treatment to Syrian students following fight last we… https://t.co/zATeYBsXs8
A contingent of RCMP officers kept watch as protesters milled about in the parking lot across from the school.
In the video that sparked the protest, some children can be seen pushing each other and swinging their fists. One of the participants appears to be holding a belt or similar item in his hand.
The school, however, says that Facebook post and the ensuing protest are based on misinformation. Eight students — four of whom are Syrian — all received the same punishment of five days' suspension.
Protestors say they're concerned about preferential treatment over punishment for a fight at the school last week.… https://t.co/jDKvFfqOQ9
"We are concerned that the incident is being elevated because of the backgrounds of the students and that is not right," the school said in a statement posted online.
Principal Dan Lower, who met with protesters on Tuesday, repeated that all students who took part in the fight received the same punishment.
“We do not show preferential treatment to anybody. Violence is violence,” he said.
Lower also denied claims that students are segregated by religion or nationality, saying that only ESL (English as a second language) classes are separate. All other classes are integrated.
The protesters alleged that some students have also complained about being groped, but administrators said they've not had "a single sexual harassment charge brought to us" and encouraged kids to come forward if they are being harassed.
One major force behind the protest was the Worldwide Coalition Against Islam, or WCAI Canada.
Protesters say they didn't get answers they wanted from school admin, and feel students aren't safe. #reddeer #cbc
The group has previously suggested burning refugee resettlement centres. In a Facebook video posted ahead of the protest, WCAI Canada's Joey Deluca, wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat, describes refugees as "parasites."
In a separate video shot during the protest, Deluca and other participants are heard joking about bombing Muslim neighbourhoods.
“They should give them their own little area, their fenced area, put a big bullseye in the middle," a person is heard saying as others chuckle about the idea. One suggests using an airplane from the nearby Canadian air force base in Cold Lake, to "keep it local."
Members of the anti-refugee group Soldiers of Odin were also present at the protest.
Here's how one student responded to the crowd outside his high school.
This is Thomas, who has been outside his school for the last hour protesting the protestors.
The protest ultimately fizzled out, and RCMP officers were later seen playing an "an impromptu soccer game" with some of the school children.
As the protest wrapped up Syrian, non-Syrian students & #RCMP joined in for an impromptu soccer game 'This is what… https://t.co/rozKcc8yHc