Full announcement below:

CULLOWHEE— A Western Carolina University student organization is sponsoring a day of silence and march on Friday, April 15, as a show of support for people who have been silenced by bullying, harassment and assault as a result of their sexuality or gender identity.

WCU UNITY members, who work to support and advocate for people who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning their sexuality, intersex and asexual, are inviting community members to join them in silence from sunrise to sunset.

The day – themed “What Will You Do to End the Silence?” – will conclude with the “Not So Silent March,” which begins at 5 p.m. on the lawn of A.K. Hinds University Center, said Zachery Reedy, president of the UNITY student organization that is sponsoring the event.

“This is a way to advocate for people who have been silenced through bullying, harassment and killings,” said Reedy, a sophomore sociology major and race, ethnic and gender relations minor from Rockford, Ill. “We invite everyone to join us to get the word out that this is not acceptable.”

The march is expected to end at sunset, at which time the group will rally at the fountain to break the silence with yelling and screaming, Reedy said.

“This act is intended to proclaim to the public that this cause is worth fighting for,” he said.

For more information about UNITY, the day of silence or the march, contact Reedy at zjreedy1@catamount.wcu.edu.