15-year-old Zachery Miller is standing up to bullying, after being a victim of bullying himself.

Miller is in the eighth grade at Bainbridge Middle School and was held back twice after a learning disability.

His grandmother, Debby Miller, said the first time he was held back it didn’t bother him, but the second time was when he started to get bullied. Debby said the kids would verbally taunt him for not being able to pass the classes, but there was also a physical altercation, where students jumped him.

“Bullying isn’t just picking or fighting,” Miller said. “It isn’t right no matter what color you are or if you have a disability… it’s just not right.”

Debby said some of the teachers have stepped in to help Miller, but she knows many are scared to get involved.

Miller doesn’t want anyone to feel his pain, though. He doesn’t want anyone to go through these feelings alone, so he has started this bullying campaign and created ribbons to support people who have been bullied.

The ribbons are a combination of black, white and brown all wrapped in red. It symbolizes that it doesn’t matter what color you are, we all bleed the same blood and that in itself should connect everyone.

Miller not only campaigns for anti-bullying, but works hard to make sure everyone has something to look forward to. Debby said Zac is not a fighter or a physical kid, and if he sees someone who he knows has been bullied, he may not fight their bully, but he will draw a picture to make them feel better.

“He wants to stand up for them,” Debby said. “Zac has a big heart and an old soul.”

Miller is giving out the ribbons to anyone who is interested in wearing them. He also encourages people to come stand with him on Sunday afternoons and hold up posters to the public telling them how bullying is not okay. He stands across from Jones Wheat and would love to see people take an active part in his cause.