Students gathered at the middle school in support of Mark Marshall, a 12-year-old boy who has been a victim of bullying due to his autism.

School has been anything but fun for Marshall for the past few months. Students bullied him at the isolation of the bus stop, and made fun of him while playing basketball in gym class. His anxiety and depression worsened to the point where he considered punching someone in the face to get suspended so he would not have to go back.

“Mark’s just a really sweet kid,” Vicky Marshall, M. Marshall’s older sister said. “Some things you might not know about him are that he really likes basketball, baseball and working out.”

The Marshalls’ mother brought the situation to the attention of middle school principal Anne Miller through a series of meetings. Miller also met with V. Marshall, who brought up the idea of an autism awareness rally. According to Miller, V. Marshall viewed her target audience for the event as everyone at the school.

“I hope that we will get kids to take action, because we’re really providing kids with many opportunities to help each other,” Miller said. “I think if kids are a part of it, then change will occur.”

Having received the green light on the event, V. Marshall set her plan into motion. She spread the word through Instagram, making a post explaining the situation and rallying support to the cause.

“I didn’t really think it through much. My family and I didn’t think it would spread like it did,” V. Marshall said. “[I would like to say] thank you to everyone who helped out.”

At 4 p.m. on Feb. 7, the blue-clad crowd of 40 people gathered outside the middle school. Campaigning under the slogan “Remember to Make Your Mark,” the group protested the injustice of the situation. They chanted, made signs, waved to passing cars and placed cups in the fence in the shape of hearts.

“I went because I go to protests for things I feel strongly about,” freshman Tony Morse said. “I wanted to be alongside Mark and his family and get the word out there that what was happening to him isn’t okay.”

Moving forward, the rally inspired the school to take further action. Miller has helped to plan events for National Autism Awareness Week in April, including a video comprised of clips from the rally.

“If I could give any advice to someone in Mark’s situation, it would be to stay strong,” V. Marshall said. “If someone is trying to drag you down, they are already below you.”