I have always moved freely, until the lines were drawn in our courtyard. As a student deeply affected by these restrictions, I have encountered numerous difficulties navigating through our own space. The tension is palpable each day and disagreements often escalate into conflicts. We are turning our friendly space into a ground for ceaseless fights.

These lines are more than a boundary – they have become barriers in our lives. Our basic right to freely move is hindered, and this miscued decision is affecting our relationships and peace of mind.

Unfortunately, this incident doesn't stand alone. Studies indicate that visual barriers can severely impact social interaction and cohesion. According to the research by Gehl Architects and the London Borough of Camden, creating visual barriers can "lead to reducing actions of helpfulness, trust, and friendliness" in communities (Gehl, 2017).

Not only can we not cross these lines, but we are forced to go into the crowd whenever we walk into school. Meaning we have to wait for everyone ahead of us to move forward just to get to class.

For our community, for our peace, and for our right to free movement, it is imperative to remove these restricting lines in our courtyard. We don't want boundaries that contain us. We need a courtyard that unifies us as a community, rather than a cage that incites tension and conflict. Sign the petition today to help us fight for a more harmonious living environment.

I hope we can settle this whole conflict with our principal in any way that is better than this. Whether it’s completely removing the lines, our current goal, or making them less restrictive.