Boy Gets Nearly Suspended For Defending Blind Classmate, Thousands Rally In Outrage

Cody Pine, a student who defended a visually impaired boy against a bully, faced potential backlash from his school for stepping in, which prompted an outpouring of support worldwide.

Shocking sight

It was lunchtime at Huntington Beach High School when footage captured a visually impaired child being bullied and assaulted by another student.

Fellow classmate Grant Morels gave KCAL9 saw it all unfold.

"I saw like a half-circle around a group of kids and I wanted to see what was up. I see this kid like getting wailed on by another kid."

- Grant Morels, Huntington Beach High School student

A jarring save

Suddenly, Grant's step-brother Cody swooped in and knocked the bully down with a single punch. He then hovered above him asking why he was 'jumping a blind kid.'

Shortly afterwards, police arrived and arrested the bully for misdemeanour battery and released him to his parents.

Meanwhile, the student who intervened was free to go, but wasn't off the hook. Despite the footage and witnesses, the school said it would still investigate Cody's actions, citing their 'zero-tolerance' policy on violence.

“The school is now responding to this isolated incident by interviewing students and witnesses to determine exactly what happened," the district said in its statement.

A hero's welcome

The incident sparked an online petition that has gathered nearly 80,000 responses.

The petition stated that 'while violence is never the best option what Cody did to defend his friend and classmate was justified."

Commenters flooded the site with words of support.

Said one: 'The hero did the right thing. Don't punish a kid for doing the right thing!!!!'

"Great job! Our future is in good hands because of young men such as yourself."

- Jeff Smith, pettioner

'The day you punish people who protect the helpless is the day you've lost humanity. Don't be STUPID!' protested another. 

Celebrate heroes

Huntington Beach student Maya Jensen applauded Cody's courage.

"A lot of people are calling him a hero and I would as well for stepping in when no one else did and decide to just film it instead."

- Maya Jensen, Huntington Beach High School student

It's often hard to do the right thing, especially when everyone else is standing by. Courage comes with risks of harm or even job loss.

However, Cody decided that the biggest risk was standing by as a helpless friend was being abused. And while violence should never be celebrated, his acting to do what's right should.

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