Catholic High School Students Stage Mass Protest After Vice-Principal Is Fired For Same-Sex Marriage

Students at a private Catholic high school in a Seattle, Washington suburb have thrown their school into turmoil protesting in support of a popular vice-principal who was fired after his marriage to another man.

Photos of the protests - in which students staged a sit-in in the school's cafeteria - have gained mass attention on Reddit, and a petition in support of former Eastside Catholic High School vice-principal Mark Zmuda has over 10,000 signatures as of Friday morning.

"The student body is outraged that an incredible administrator, coach, and human being was fired solely because of his love and marriage for another human being. We are uniting in order to change the Catholic Church's opposition of gay marriage," the petition states.

In a letter to parents, the Catholic high school said that Zmuda's employment was terminated because his same-sex marriage violated his signed contract with the school.

Eastside closed early Thursday following the student protests, and cancelled Friday's classes due to predicted snow "and in light of the difficult day," according to The Seattle Times.

Here are some pictures from the Eastside Catholic School student protests:

@KDrewKOMO #KeepMrZ2013 pic.twitter.com/9KSRPxfv6r

- Julia Burns (@_juliaburns) December 19, 2013

If you're not in the commons you're missing out. Sit in starts today. #KeepMrZ2013 pic.twitter.com/IqgSORxjET

- Caelan Colburn (@The_Crabmeister) December 19, 2013

#KeepMrZ2013 @seattletimes Eastside Students during a sit to protest the termination of a gay teacher. pic.twitter.com/npQ5h1IVVI

- Zach Williams (@zwilliams797) December 19, 2013

#KeepMrZ2013 pic.twitter.com/M8Fq36HiEH

- Rose Young (@rosepose4) December 19, 2013

Favorite pic from today's #KeepMrZ2013 protest at Eastside Catholic. Impressive group of kids. pic.twitter.com/FQufdWAcAd

- Eric Jensen (@EricJensenKomo) December 20, 2013

Undying support. "No freedom until we're equal, damn right I support it" @macklemore #KeepMrZ2013 pic.twitter.com/VD0xjkvDXN

- Cameron (@thatgross) December 20, 2013

Sit in moves to the streets! #KeepMrZ2013 pic.twitter.com/QVNV9kYuiJ

- Josh Matte (@Jmatte644) December 19, 2013

Helicopters and all !! #KeepMrZ2013 pic.twitter.com/jwJim1JaKz

- Drew Urquhart (@Durquhart11) December 19, 2013

From posters, to protesting in the streets, we are a family and will fight for what is right ?? #KeepMrZ2013 pic.twitter.com/5yuxdbpFo6

- Rachel Sohlstrom (@rachelsohlstrom) December 19, 2013