To: Marion County public school board and the Florida governor

Demand Marion County Public Schools to Recognize Self-Defense as a Student Right

I am a student at a Marion County Public School, and I have personally experienced the consequences of our school's failure to recognize self-defense as a student right. Our current policy maintains zero tolerance towards violence, even when it is an act of self-defense. This approach is not only unfair but also potentially harmful for students who find themselves in situations where they need to protect themselves.

In 2018, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reported that zero-tolerance policies can lead to negative outcomes for students, including increased likelihood of dropping out and involvement with the juvenile justice system. Furthermore, according to the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), such policies do not necessarily improve school safety or climate.

It is crucial that we differentiate between aggression and self-defense. Students should have the right to protect themselves without fear of disciplinary action when their safety is threatened. We must advocate for a more nuanced understanding of violence within our schools' rules and regulations.

We call on Marion County Public Schools to revise their current policy and recognize self-defense as a student right. This change will ensure fair treatment for all students while maintaining safety within our schools. Please sign this petition if you believe in protecting students' rights and promoting fairness within our education system.

Why is this important?

Students are defending themselves and they are getting in trouble because they defended themselves against the attacking student and the schools are doing jack shit about the attacking student that they are protecting themselves against and students are now taking it into their own hands because the schools are doing jack shit about it and it bull shit.

How it will be delivered

YouTube, Facebook, and the news, video ads, bill boards and needed I will file for a permit to do a protest