Anti-Bullying Supporters Call for Action

May 9, 2009 - 12:36
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A crowd of supporters packed a church to remember a DeKalb County boy who killed himself after his mother said he was bullied.

The supporters of Jaheem Herrera held a rally, and called for action to help other children suffering at the hands of bullies.

 

Some of the people praying at the rally knew the 11-year-old while others, just knew about his story.

"Thank you all for everything and we're going to fight for Jaheem," said the Jaheem's mother, Masika Bermudez.

 

Herrera hung himself in his bedroom, back in April, after friends and family said the child was repeatedly bullied and teased at Dunaire Elementary School in DeKalb County.

 

His mother said she went to the school herself to complain -- more than once -- before her son's death.

 

"He opened the doors to a lot of kids. To all of the kids, don't be afraid to talk to your mom and dad. No matter who threatens you, you speak. Don't hide anything from nobody," said Bermudez.

 

The speakers at the gathering were calling for any way possible to prevent from happening to another child, which includes anti-bullying legislation at the state capitol.

 

"What do you believe went wrong from the beginning in this case?" asked FOX 5 reporter Darryl Carver.

 

"There's a lack of action. When a parent comes to you seven and eight times telling you there's a serious bullying problem, that's a serious failure of the system," said attoey Gregory Griggs.

 

The attoey for the family said they do plan to file a lawsuit against the school district.

 

Officials at DeKalb County Schools system would not retu phone calls for comment.

In the past, the school system has told FOX 5 that the district has anti-bullying programs in place.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.