Students picket against bullying

DOWNEY - Hundreds of students picketed outside Sussman Middle School on Wednesday morning in a loud and vocal demonstration against campus bullying. Chanting "SMS is a bully-free zone!", students wore black T-shirts that read "ABC - Anti Bullying Campus" and waved hand-made signs with the slogans "Don't Just Watch, Do Something" and "Honk If You're Against Bullying."

One student held a sarcastic sign reading "You're a Bully? Wow, You're So Cool."

The demonstration was part of Anti-Bullying Week being celebrated across the Downey Unified School District.

"Having an anti-bullying week early in the school year has helped send a strong message and set a positive tone for the rest of the year on our district campuses," said district administrator Dr. Robert Jagielski. "Downey Unified has packaged and promoted our anti-bullying efforts under the umbrella of Character Counts. The goal is to work on creating a culture of caring that does not allow for bullies and their behaviors to thrive."

During the summer, more than 500 K-8 classrooms received "No Bullying Zone" posters and lesson plans, funded by Gangs Out of Downey.

Sussman Middle School students began picketing at 7:30 a.m. and continued until the start of classes at 8.

A second rally was planned in the cafeteria at 9:15.