A student-planned pro-Palestine rally has taken over Melbourne's CBD despite criticism of the school walkout.
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Students met at Flinders Street Station on November 23 "to show that we do not agree with the genocide of the Palestinians".
"I think as teenagers it's so hard to be taken seriously by adults but especially the government," one teenaged protestor said.
"The only way for the government to actually listen to us is if we become a big group of rebellious, passionate people."
Public transport delays
Yarra Trams advised commuters to "allow extra time" using public transport with the rally blocking thoroughfares in the CBD.
The route 70 tram has resumed service along Flinders Street after protestors moved north on Swanston Street towards the State Library of Victoria and Melbourne Central.
Politicians weigh in
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan, deputy premier Ben Carroll, MP Bill Shorten and education minister Jason Clare encouraged students to skip the protest and stay in school.
"You want to change the world? You attend school and get educated," Mr Carroll said.
The Greens supported the protest with Senator Penny Allman-Payne saying "Australian school students are seeing kids their own age pulled from the rubble of Gaza".
"Is it any wonder that they want the government to do something about this horror?
"Telling kids to stay in the classroom while their political leaders endorse Israel's massacre of Palestinians is completely out-of-touch with the public mood and ignorant of how informed students are," Ms Allman-Payne said.
What about the ceasefire?
Organisers said the protest would continue despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on November 22.
A statement released by Students for Palestine Victoria said "a temporary ceasefire is no solution to Palestinian oppression".
"The news of a temporary pause to Israel's genocide in Gaza is being presented as a breakthrough by Western media.
"And it's true that for the people of Gaza, the respite will be a much-needed chance to catch their breath after nearly two months of slaughter.
"But as Palestine solidarity groups, we see nothing to celebrate."
A NSW protest is expected on November 24.