The Pride student organization invites everyone to take part in the National Day of Silence on Friday, April 17.

Pride members will be on Milner Plaza from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. handing out free T-shirts from the Color Me Queer campaign.

The Day of Silence is an annual day of action to protest the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students. On this day across the U.S., students from middle school to college take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBTQ behavior.

“Often LGTBQ students are forced into silence, having to hide or deny aspects of themselves because of the fear that harm will come to them physically or mentally,” said Pride President Katie Schuette. “This day acts as a coming together in support of those students who must remain silent in order to stay safe.”