CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Three days after his upcoming anti-bullying speech was abruptly canceled and a day after the controversy became national news, Maulik Pancholy spoke for the first time about what happened.

Pancholy, who starred as “Jonathan” on the hit NBC show “30 Rock” and has written two fictional books based on his experiences being bullied as a child, was scheduled to speak May 22 at Mountain View Middle School — this year’s edition of an annual author speaking series.

“It’s been incredibly moving to see the outpouring of solidarity, love and support from the community at Mountain View Middle School,” Pancholy wrote in a statement released to news outlets and posted on social media.

Pancholy, who is Asian-American and gay, is the author of two fiction books — and is finishing a third — based loosely on his experiences of being bullied as a child.

“When I talk about the characters in my books feeling ‘different,’ I’m always surprised by how many young people raise their hands — regardless of their identities and backgrounds — wanting to share about the ways in which they, too, feel different,” Pancholy wrote.

“That’s the power of books,” he continued. “They build empathy. I wonder why a school board is so afraid of that.”

Pancholy said he learned via social media channels about the cancelation, which came after board members added a last-minute item to a regularly-scheduled meeting and — after a few moments of discussion among themselves — voted without allowing any public comment.

Students and parents have gathered thousands of online signatures to petitions asking the board to reverse its 8-0 decision to cancel Pancholy’s speech. Pancholy has spoken at middle schools in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, according to testimonials on his website.

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With more than 10,000 students, Cumberland Valley is the 16th largest out of about 500 Pennsylvania school districts.

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