A victim of childhood bullying, Detroit Tiger Prince Fielder encouraged students Thursday night to help put an end to bullying in their schools. "Obviously, if you're seeing someone get bullied, you know it's not right ... just tell someone," Fielder said at the "Strike Out Bullying" forum at Royal Oak Middle School. Presenters at the event, part of the Detroit Tigers 2013 Winter Caravan, offered tips on how to deal with bullies, urged students to respect others' differences and warned that bullying can lead to violence or even suicide. "Put yourself in the victim's shoes," U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade told the crowd in the school's auditorium. McQuade said tools like Facebook give children the power to bully in a harsh, expansive way. She said students should peacefully stand up for other kids who are being bullied, tell a teacher or parent if they or someone else is being bullied and walk away if they become the target of a bully...
"You have the power to stop bullying," she said. Loud cheers broke out when Fielder and Tigers pitcher Phil Coke took the stage. Both shared stories of being bullied as children, with Fielder saying he was a big kid but still endured punches and kicks from other children that left him in tears. At the free event, students who won an anti-bullying essay contest received Little Caesars Pizza gift cards. Tigers mascot Paws mingled with parents and students, and there was a raffle for prizes. Wearing a Detroit Tigers hat and T-shirt, Alexis Walton, 12, of Royal Oak, said she was happy her school was hosting the program. "This is very good chance for people to (learn how to) change and not be bullies anymore," she said. The forum was presented in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Royal Oak Public Schools and the Detroit Newspapers in Education program.

Contact Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6594 or [email protected]



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