New York CBS local: - "An anti-bullying video created by some central New Jersey middle school students has become an Internet sensation, thanks largely to publicity spawned by the pop star whose recent hit song was reworked for the production. Enrique Iglesias recently linked the “Bullying: We’ll Stop It” video on his web site and also publicized it on his Facebook page, praising the students efforts and urging his fans to check it out. Overall, the video has now generated roughly 25,000 views on YouTube. The Long Branch Middle School students used the music for Iglesias’ “I Like It,” which topped the dance music charts last summer, after getting the singer’s permission to use the song. But they created their own lyrics and also performed in the video, which took three months to complete." (Enrique Iglesias Lauds NJ Students’ Anti-Bullying Video)
NK.com: "What really caught my attention is that it was very, very clever to get a pop song that people knew and turn the lyrics around to something so positive," Iglesias told The Star-Ledger in a phone interview from his Miami home. "What the students at Long Branch Middle School did is so creative, brave, and I’m so happy for the students ... I hope that it helped them, even if it’s just a little bit, and the kids out there that are bullies will learn and stop bullying." The video also caught the attention of Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), who recently introduced anti-bullying and gang legislation. He invited the students to perform Sunday in honor of Black History Month at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset. "I was incredibly impressed with the students," said Kellie Drakeford LeDet, Menendez’s chief of staff. "I love that they are taking initiative to spread the word on anti-bullying in a time when gangs are running rampant." The video project grew out of a discussion spawned by the September suicide of Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi, whose roommate secretly taped his intimate encounter with another man. Video of Long Branch Middle School performing 'Bullying We'll Stop It' "People are killing themselves over bullying," said Jessica Rojas, one of the students involved in the project. "School to me is a place where I should feel safe. It should not be a place I’m afraid to be picked on and humiliated in front of my whole class." (Enrique Iglesias works with Long Branch Middle School group to turn song into anti-bullying anthem)
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