Thousands Join Senator Whitmer in Opposition to Republicans’ Pro-Bullying Legislation

From Alex Rossman, Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus
Thursday, November 3, 2011

Less than 24 hours after Senate Republicans passed pro-bullying legislation, the public outcry continues to exponentially grow as Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer’s floor statement video against the bill has already received more than 11,000 views on YouTube to go along with hundreds of emails that have been sent to her office in support from all around the world.

“I was appalled by Senate Republicans’ action yesterday, and I hope they are taking notice that the outrage over their license to bully legislation isn’t limited to the Senate floor, to Lansing or even to Michigan,” said Sen. Whitmer.

“My comments yesterday on behalf of Michigan’s bullying victims and their families have been getting a tremendous response online, reiterating that Republicans’ action yesterday not only does nothing to prevent bullying, but actually encourages it.”

Senator Whitmer rose yesterday to decry the Senate Republicans for gutting supposed “anti-bullying” legislation and again turning a blind eye to the problem of harassment and abuse in Michigan schools.

Under the Republican substitute to SB 137, a bully could continue to harass a student for any perceived bias and simply cite a “moral conviction” as a basis for doing so.

Senator Whitmer’s statement can be seen at http://youtu.be/zDK-ja8PLgg

Since its passage, there has been an outpouring of support for Whitmer’s stand against the Republicans’ pro-bullying legislation from across the country and around the world. Senator Whitmer’s YouTube video has quickly gone past 11,000 views along with hundreds of comments in support.

She has already received e-mails of support from people in 19 states, including California, Colorado, Georgia and New York as well as British Columbia, England, Spain and France—from an Assistant D’Anglais with the French Minister of National Education.