Television Coverage of Last Night's Columbus Spirit Day Candlight Vigil

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Every day, thousands of students around the nation are bullied. Central Ohioans are standing up to stop the bullying epidemic.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — People across the country wore purple on Wednesday to mark a new national day of awareness.

Those involved in the day and event hope it will become an annual tradition, ONN's Stephanie Mennecke reported.

"I wanted to commit suicide, and I overcame that and I don't want people to give up," said Wanda Ellis.

Many young Ohioans have started taken their own life after being bullied because of their sexual orientation. It's a problem that is escalating across the country.

Because of the alarming number of recent suicides, October 20th will now be known as spirit day.

Around the country, candle light vigils took place to recognize lives affected by bullies or harassment.

Brittany McMillan used the internet as her tool to spread the word across the nation that purple should be the color to recognize spirit day.

"It's a color that means spirit, so what she did was say 'hey lets call it spirit day,'" said Karla Rothan, Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus. "It's also a day to remember the spirits of those no longer with us."
During the Columbus event, Gloria McCauley with Bravo, Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organzation, took to the stage.

"Every year for the last 16 years we have taken 25 to 30 reports from bullying incidents occurring in schools," said McCauley.

The younger generation was who the speakers were addressing. They were hoping that their painful messages would give them hope and encouragement.

Ellis battled depression for five years, and the recent deaths are a very personal reminder for her.

"Every time somebody loses their fight it kind of takes me back to that," Ellis said. "It's the loneliest place you can ever be in. It's hard for me to see that happen. I want them to continue to fight, and get to the top of the hill of that depression. I want them to know that you have to love yourself first and that it gets better."

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