LGBT
Related: About this forumGood to see.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)And he's a got a pretty kitty to help him...knr
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)Regardless, I'm glad he seems to be doing better.
eridani
(51,907 posts)Eric Martin has been a victim of antigay bullying for a while now at Highland Springs High School, constantly being harassed and called gay slurs. Earlier this week, he was hospitalized for head injuries as well as a broken hand after being viciously attacked by teenage assailants, reports NBC12. One might think that justice would be on his side, but unfortunately both he and his mother were shocked to discover that he, the victim, is now being slapped with assault charges by the Henrico Police Department, being labeled a criminal.
The reason? Because Eric threw the first punch.
It gets worse. Eric is also prevented from coming back to any school in the district until he signs a documentation alleging that he threatened the school. Mary Martin, Erics mother, is refusing to go down without a fight. After recording a meeting with school leaders on her cell phone, she discovered that they were serious about the documentation and are refusing to move forward without it. Martin replied by saying: Im not signing anything.
The Martin family hired Tammy Motola, a family advocate, to help with their case. Although Eric has been granted permission to go to another school, the criminal charges are still going to follow him
nomorenomore08
(13,324 posts)for defending himself in the first place - though I admit throwing the first punch makes it a bit more of a gray area.
eridani
(51,907 posts)eridani
(51,907 posts)Welcome to 2015 everyone! Here's hoping that each of you will have a healthy, successful and bully-free year!
As we kick off the year, Eric is hard at work! Back at therapy, working diligently to regain his strength in many areas that have been affected by his traumatic brain injury, he will not be returning to school for at least another 3 months. The doctor's believe that Eric needs more time and a lot more therapy before he will be able to get back to his normal routine of attending school daily. Still struggling with migraine headaches and recently suffering with seizure activity, Eric has a ways to go but remains positive.
Your continued support and prayers are very much appreciated. Thanks for following Eric Martin's story and helping us to put and end to bullying. Many kids, just like Eric, face bullies everyday and nobody does a thing about it. No kid should ever have to be subjected to cruel, hurtful, humiliating treatment from others! There is no excuse for this to continue and no excuse for it to be ignored! Every kid matters!
eridani
(51,907 posts)Thanks to everyone who took the time to write to Eric Martin, send donations both through this venue & by mail to him personally. We brought more awareness to the bullying epidemic that impacts so many across this country daily. I will be closing this campaign and stepping down from this case as the advocate. I wish the entire Martin family, especially Eric, all the best!
Sincerely,
Tammy G. Motola
Anti-Bully /Family AdvocateTotal Breakdown of Money Raised for Eric Martin
Total amount to date raised - $15,315.00
5% Go Fund Me fees - $765.75
2.9% We Pay fees - $444.14
688 donations x .30 per donation - $206.40
Ordinary tax liability deduction as I set up account in my name - $922.50
Federal & State taxes (long form) 15% - $2158.88
Attorneys Fees to date (Charlotte P. Hodges) - $2500.00
Court Expenses to date - $500.00
Total remaining balance - $7817.33
I will be closing out this GoFundMe page within 30 days. The balance of this account will be deposited into a CD or ROTH account for Eric Martin that he will have access to when he turns 18. As an advocate and advisor I feel this is in his best interest at this time.