Back to We R Here Corp.

Participant Safety

Creating Safe Spaces for Youth Historical Reenactments

Our programs rely on young people, families, elders, and volunteers feeling respected and secure while they learn, perform, and gather on sacred ground, free from Stalking, Adult/Youth Bullying, and Distressing Harassment.

Our Commitment

“We want to train youth while making transformative changes.”

We R Here Corp. is committed to providing a safe, supportive environment free from S.A.D. harms: Stalking, Adult/Youth Bullying, and Distressing Harassment, for all youth, elders, and community participants.

Protecting participation

Confronting SAD Acts

Threats our youth face today can silence the stories that help them heal and connect with their history. It is so sad when real dangers disrupt sacred spaces, discourage young actors, and quiet elders sharing hard won truth. We take an unwavering stand against the three solo categories of S.A.D.:

S • 01

Stalking

Following, tracking, or monitoring young people, families, or program participants makes cemetery performances and community events feel unsafe.

A • 02

Adult/Youth Bullying

Ridicule, intimidation, cruelty, and bullying from adults or peers crush the confidence young actors are building and seek to quiet elders sharing truth on sacred ground.

D • 03

Distressing Harassment

Menacing interference, aggressive agitation, and hostile harassment create an atmosphere of distress that threatens the emotional well being and security of everyone present.

Past and present

What They Faced Still Matters Today

These S.A.D. acts echo what our historical figures and ancestors faced: relentless pursuit, intimidation, cruelty, and attempts to silence their stories. Young people explore those experiences through skits, presentations, and historical reenactments, helping them recognize that harms endured in the past can still happen today if we do not protect our community.

Threats our youth face today echo our ancestors’ pain. These destroyers break families now, just as our forebearers endured pursuit, stunting, and silenced stories, stealing the healing power from youth skits, reenactments, and presentations on sacred grounds.

Real dangers to our program’s mission: stalking follows youth to cemetery performances, like dangers ancestors fled. Adult and youth bullying crushes young actors mid performance of living history. Distressing harassment quiets elders sharing truth on hallowed ground. It is so sad when safety fails, because the pride that we build through reenactments, skits, plays, church events, and school shows, it all stops cold.

How would historical figures respond?

Historical Figures Responding to S.A.D. Harms

When our ancestors faced stalking, bullying, and distressing harassment, they met intimidation with courage, creativity, and moral resolve. These character portraits illustrate how trailblazing figures responded to the very pressures our youth confront today:

S • Confronting Stalking & Hostility

Nina Simone

How the Ancestor Responded

Faced down intimidation and hostile surveillance with unapologetic dignity, turning civil rights anthems into instruments of courage that refused to be silenced.

A • Confronting Adult/Youth Bullying

Paul Robeson

How the Ancestor Responded

Met relentless institutional bullying, blacklisting, and mob hostility with unwavering moral discipline, using his voice and legal training to champion universal human rights.

D • Confronting Distressing Harassment

Pete Seeger

How the Ancestor Responded

Endured interrogation and aggressive public harassment, countering distress and division by building grassroots community solidarity through the peaceful power of folk song.

Why Safety Matters

When safety fails and S.A.D. acts take hold, the pride built through reenactments, skits, plays, church events, and school programs can stop cold. A secure, respectful environment allows participants to build confidence, honor their ancestors, and carry these stories forward without fear.

Read the Founder’s Statement

Founder Yusef Thomas shares his individual, nonpartisan support for anti stalking efforts, confronting S.A.D. acts, and explaining why participant safety is essential to this work.

Open the statement (PDF)
Return to our programs
Translate this page: