Katy Butler, a bullied high school student from Michigan who mobilized more than 500,000 people through her Change.org petition to change the rating of the documentary “Bully” from “R” to “PG-13,” will be recognized at the launch of the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus in Washington, D.C. this Thursday, June 28.
Butler, who won her campaign to change the rating in April, will headline the launch of the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus that will bring together dozens of Democrats and Republicans, leading national advocacy organizations, landmark film director Lee Hirsch, and Asst. Secretary for Civil Rights at the Dept. of Education Russlynn Ali to chart a course to end bullying in America.
“I’m honored and humbled to be invited to attend the launch of the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus,” said Butler. ”I look forward sharing my story and personal experience with bullying, as well as the stories of the more than half a million people that joined my campaign on Change.org. Together, we have started a national conversation that will one day bring about an end to the unnecessary pain that so many young people suffer through.”
Butler’s own experience with school bullying, including having her finger broken in the seventh grade by bullies, led her to start the campaign on Change.org to pressure the MPAA to change the rating of the film.
U.S. Representative Mike Honda, who penned a sign-on letter back in March to support Butler’s campaign and who is chairing the new Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus, issued this statement of enthusiasm for her participation in the launch:
“Through her passionate and dedicated activism, teenager Katy Butler has helped re-energize the national conversation on bullying,” said Rep. Honda. “Katy’s impact is a testament to what America’s young people can accomplish when they are protected, empowered and given the opportunity to thrive. I am looking forward to having Katy join our historic launch of the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus as we begin work on crafting solutions to end bullying now and forever.”
Final signature totals from Katy Butler’s campaign (and comments from signers):
http://www.change.org/bully
