Students participate in Day of Silence

Mason students on Friday participated in the National Day of Silence. Here freshman Ashley Rezai wears a sign to show that she is taking part in the nationwide event. (Jake McLernon)

Students across the George Mason University campus participated in The National Day of Silence on April 15.

Every year on the National Day of Silence hundreds of thousands of students nationwide take a day-long vow of silence to bring attention to bullying and harassment that takes place in schools towards the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) community.

According to the Day of Silence website, the Day of Silence was created in 1996 by former University of Virgina student Maria Pulizetti. After receiving extensive local press, Pulizetti decided to take the Day of Silence nationally.

Many Mason students participated in the National Day of Silence, including Conflict Analysis and Resolution major, Justin Breckley.

“Sometimes silence can be more powerful than words,” said Breckley.

It is a chance for straight allies and the LGBTQ community to work together to create a unified “non-voice” to show the effect that being forced to be silent has had upon many lives, said Breckley.

“This day is important because it gives an opportunity for participants to express their solidarity with the gay rights movement and its lack of voice,” said Breckley.