Alex Darocy Photography

Students at UC Santa Cruz recently reported to the NAACP that two incidents of what the organization is calling "serious racial bullying" had occurred on the university's campus. In response, the Santa Cruz Branch of the NAACP together with the UCSC Women's Center organized a "March and Prayer Vigil to Stop Hate Crimes and Racial Bullying in Our Community" on May 29. Community members, including students from UCSC, marched down Pacific Avenue and to the Town Clock where songs were sung and a prayer vigil was held. "We need to hold our institutions accountable for setting systems in place that will change behavior, re-educate their members, and protect young people from the life-long scars of hate and prejudice. Please help us to focus on racism in our community and find peaceful solutions for the future," an announcement for the vigil stated. Presently, the victims of the racial bullying wish to remain anonymous but Deborah Hill-Alston, the ...

In downtown Santa Cruz on April 20, LGBQT community members from the Diversity Center's Youth Program and their family members and allies held a "Breaking the Silence" rally in front of the Del Mar Theatre before a showing of the film "Bully". People held signs and shared stories There was a group shout out, and many involved with the youth program wore tape x'd over their mouths to both symbolize the silencing effect of bullying on the LGBQT youth community, as well as to be an expression of solidarity with those who could not attend the rally in person for many different reasons of privacy. During this segment of the rally, a woman talks about why some bullies might want to hurt others. To read more and view photos from the rally, see: Community Members "Break the Silence" at LGBQT Youth Rally in Santa Cruz http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/04/23/18711937.php