“From this day forward I promise to respect those around me as well as respect myself. I am somebody, and I can make a difference. I can make another feel loved. I can be the helping hand that leads another back to a path of hope and aspiration. I will not stand silent as others try to spread hatred through my community. Instead, I pledge to lift up these victims, and show them that their life matters. I will be the change, because I am somebody.”

This movement has grown and begun to go viral with parents holding vigils, large and small, and has even reached Australia.  The parents of 14 yr old Brianna DeVries, who passed away four months ago, will hold their vigil first and hopefully begin a wave of compassion and education across the globe on this issue.  We need to reach across our networks and ask those who support our children in every way to come and Stand for the Silent: those who are longer with us but continue to help us, help others

 Since 2001 we have lost 8 children in MI to bullycide, and those are the ones we know of.  Passage of “Matt’s Law” will be one part of the puzzle to better understanding and preventing future tragedies in our state.

 “Our legislators need to finish what they started. They have held this bill up for eight years; they owe it to our children and parents to make safety a priority in our schools. Our legislators need to act before they leave office. Don’t leave their mess for someone else to clean -up” Kevin Epling. Co-Director Bully Police USA.