Photo: Facebook

More than 85 bikers roared into Chase, Friday, in support of a local nine-year-old who has been relentlessly bullied at school for over a year.

While only a handful left Edmonton early Thursday, an invitation had been extended to any biker who wished to come out and support Samiya Noor. They were not disappointed.

Motorcycles kept pouring into the parking lot of Memorial Park. Some were from Chase, others from Kamloops and even Vancouver. 

Before attending Haldane Elementary, Noor went to different schools in Alberta and never had an issue with bullies, Noor’s grandmother and guardian, Vicki Gustavson, says. The issues didn’t start until they moved to Chase. 

Noor arrived in the parking lot with a big smile as the crowd cheered. Some fellow students brought bouquets of flowers, and she was presented with shirts, backpacks and stickers from Bikers are Buddies and other anti-bullying groups.

Some of the bikers in attendance let go of their tough-guy personas and shed some tears at the sight of the overwhelming support.

Andrew Phillips of the Bullying Enns group said as they made their way into Chase, they were greeted by parents, bikers and community members, who all came out to show their support.

“(The) whole town was excited,” he said, noting the waves and honks they received.

Bullying Enns is now looking to create a division of the group in Kamloops.

Cavelle Layes / Kamloops Matters