OKLAHOMA CITY - Hundreds of students from schools across the state gathered at the capitol today to fight bullying.

Jared Henderson is a student at Will Rogers Junior High School in Claremore and said it hurts when others make fun of him for a condition he cannot help.

“I have Asperger’s syndrome. And I cannot help it,” Henderson said. “I have trouble in my communication. People were calling me names, punching me. The worst one was ‘I wish you weren’t alive.’ And that’s not fun listening to that.”

The group was led by Kirk Smalley, from Perkins, whose 11 year old son committed suicide last year after being bullied by classmates.

State Representative Anastasia Pittman said bullying is out of control and legislation is necessary.

“It’s not only physical. It’s not only emotional or mental,” Pittman said. “It’s in cyberspace. It’s in our schools. It’s in our homes. And kids are tired of it.”

The students were at the capitol to show support for laws against bullying, including House Bill 1461, which adds cyber-bullying to current state laws mandating how schools should address bullying.

from Staff Reports