See 'Bully' and Help Stop Bullying

" Bully," a documentary on student bullying, opens in New York and Los Angeles on March 30, and in more cities April 13. Filmed during the 2009-10 school year, the movie explores the lives of five students and their families.

Originally called "The Bully Project," the movie was directed by Lee Hirsch, himself a victim of childhood bullying. Hirsch previewed the film for hundreds of AFT members during last summer's AFT TEACH conference in Washington, D.C. The preview was followed by a deep and engaging discussion, and the documentary's harrowing content has since prompted a controversy over its rating.

"Films like 'Bully' are critical in illustrating to students the painful consequences of bullying," says AFT president Randi Weingarten.

Take action

• Go to the Demand It! button on the “Bully” page of Eventful to see where the movie is playing and bring it to your community.
• Connect and share on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr.

The AFT also plans follow-up work with partners in our See a Bully, Stop a Bully campaign, including:

• Strategies from Cartoon Network on how to stop bullying.
   
• The National Center for Learning Disabilities' anti-bullying toolkit.
   
• Stand4Change Day on May 4. [Annette Licitra]

March 21, 2012