Sometimes, institutional decisions may not be well-received, leading to various forms of protest, some traditional and some unusual. One such unique protest came from Jacob Ford, a British student who used a microwave to make his point.

In 2018, British newspapers reported that Jacob Ford, a 17-year-old student at Spalding Grammar School, protested his school’s ban on backpacks by bringing his books and supplies to class inside a microwave. The school had implemented this ban because older students were using backpacks to hit younger students. To address the issue practically, the school allowed students to carry their backpacks but required them to carry books manually between classes.

The students were not pleased with this decision, and Jacob chose a creative form of protest by bringing a microwave to school with his school supplies inside. The school administration was not amused and decided to discipline him for bringing items in unusual containers. Jacob was given the choice to either stop his protest or face a two-day suspension.

Jacob’s mother intervened, supporting her son’s right to express himself and expressed pride in his actions, whether involving a microwave or not. This led to her being barred from entering the school as well.

The incident gained widespread attention on social media, with people divided in their opinions. Some praised Jacob’s creative protest, while others preferred to continue their studies without causing trouble.

It is worth noting that the school’s decision to ban backpacks was not unprecedented; many American schools had implemented similar bans after a school shooting in Florida, fearing students might conceal weapons in their bags. Schools that did not ban backpacks often required them to be transparent, which also faced student protests, though none as unique as Jacob’s.