Protest Held Outside Home of Family That Some Blame in Suicide
By David Hunn, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Nov. 25–DARDENNE PRAIRIE — About 150 people gathered Saturday in a parking lot of Fort Zumwalt West Middle School to protest the Internet bullying of Megan Meier that led to her suicide.
Some were friends, there to remember their classmate. Others were family, bemoaning the loss. And some hoped for what they consider justice.
One year ago, Megan, 13, hanged herself. Her parents said she was driven by the cruel Internet messages of a boy. Then they were told that the boy didn’t exist — that neighbors had concocted him to get back at Megan for quarreling with their daughter.
The accused neighbors, Curt and Lori Drew, could not be reached for comment.
Saturday night, those gathered sent a message:
“Stop cyber-bullying!” said the note on the makeshift candle-holders.
Some hoped the Drews would move out of the subdivision.
“I don’t know how they could live here,” said Tony Greco, Megan’s uncle. “They’ve done something awful.”
Others just wanted everyone to get the message.
“For the children, it’s a wonderful thing for them to see people coming together,” said Tina Meier, Megan’s mother, just before the vigil began.
“If you’re going to mess with a child, you should absolutely be held responsible.”
Just after 6 p.m., candles lit, the group began to walk toward the Drews’ home.
They stopped in a yard directly across the street from the Drews’. A microphone was set up. A man was playing a guitar and singing. The embers of a fire glowed in a metal pit.
Teens and adults alike stepped to the microphone and talked about Megan.
As the vigil ended, friends hugged the Meiers. And nearly everybody wiped away tears.
dhunn@post-dispatch.com — 314-340-8411
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Copyright (c) 2007, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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