Nine-year-old Nasir Andrews bravely held up dozens of signs in a video that told her story of being a bullying victim at her Bellevue school.
Nasir wanted to make the video after she was relentlessly picked on by her fellow students. Her parents said her snacks were thrown away, classmates ran away from her at school, she’s been pushed and kicked.
"A student called me 'Nutella,' and I told my after-school teacher and she said it wasn't racist and she made me write the definition of racist," Nasir told KIRO 7 with her parents on Wednesday.
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After months of telling teachers, administrators and the district, Nasir was feeling desperate and posted a video on Facebook to her mother’s page. She started the hashtag #backdownbully to get help for herself and other students who are bullied.
It's now viral, reaching millions of people.
Nasir’s family says it's received an incredible response from the community since the video – with many people asking how they can help Nasir.
"The community support and positive uplifting words for Nasir and our family is deeply moving. We are so grateful for the outpour of kind remarks and it is greatly appreciated. We hope that anyone who is or has experienced bullying is inspired and empowered by Nasir's story. Many have expressed a desire to send letters of support. We encourage everyone to send them to PO Box 7113 Bellevue, WA 98008," the family told KIRO 7 News in a statement.
Nasir is one of about 40 black students at Ardmore Elementary, which has large populations of Hispanic, Asian and Indian students.
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Parents Chantey and Travis Andrews are upset the school didn't do more to help their daughter. They say the district did investigate and said in most instances it was categorized as “unfortunate peer to peer interaction.”
KIRO 7 asked the Bellevue School District for an interview. The district released the following statement:
"We are saddened by the experience shared in the Facebook video you referenced. We are very concerned about the well-being of all of our students. We can assure you that district and central office leaders continue to work with the family to ensure that their daughter and every student at Ardmore is receiving the support they need. The harassment, intimidation and bullying of any student is unacceptable. In the case you referenced, an investigation into the allegations has been in process."
Nasir's family is deciding where to send her to school next year.
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