Mark Hamill Praises Boy Who Said It Wasn’t ‘Jedi Way’ to Fight Bully

Actor Mark Hamill attends the Star Wars: The Last Jedi "The Director and The Jedi" SXSW Documentary Premiere at Paramount Theatre on March 12, 2018 in Austin, Texas. Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill gave a shout out on Twitter to a 10-year-old California boy who ended up in the emergency room after he refused to fight against a bully at school.

Aiden Vasquez, who is a fifth grader at Two Bunch Palms Elementary School, was called names, punched in the face, and his backpack was taken away by another student on Aug. 27, reported ABC13.

When Aiden’s mother, Lizette Casanova, asked about why he didn’t defend himself, Aiden cited Star Wars as the explanation and replied that it wasn’t the “Jedi Way,” according to ABC13.

Star Wars icon Mark Hamill was so touched after he learned about the story, he took to Twitter and wrote, “SHOUT OUT to Aiden Vazquez for his courage & wisdom in the face of adversity. I’m so proud of you for showing that you can be a Jedi in real life. Congratulations, Aiden- The Force will be with YOU... Always!!! Your fan, mh.”

The bully incident is currently under investigation by the Desert Hot Springs Police Department. KMIR reported that once the investigation is done, the findings will be sent to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, which will decide the next course of action.

Mark Hamill’s tweet also inspired many other people who resonated with what Vazquez had faced to share their stories under the original post.

User @LexPezza_Foo wrote and talked about how being bullied has affected him.

“I could have done with somebody to teach me the ways of the Force to deal with the bullies I had all through my school years. And the bullying even continues to this day. It has left me with severe depression and anxiety issues. Star Wars and you, my idol, did help me though.”