theGrio

Back to the Top

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Music
    • The Dish
  • Health
    • Ask Dr. Ty
    • Black Men’s Health
    • Black Women and Breast Cancer
    • Back to School Health
  • Living
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Living Forward
    • Books
  • Politics
    • Perry on Politics
  • Sports
  • News
    • Good News
  • Opinion

News

Trayvon Martin fundraiser cancelled after Twitter backlash over 'Skittles' flyer

by Briana Lopes | March 27, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Comments
Print
Trayvon_Martin_Flier.jpg

Related Posts

  • Michigan teacher says she was fired for supporting student fundraiser for Trayvon Martin
  • The thug-ification of Trayvon Martin: Smear campaign distracts from the case
  • Trayvon Martin case: Florida governor Rick Scott appoints new State Attorney, Wolfinger to step down
  • Florida officer fired after bringing Trayvon Martin image to target practice
  • Trayvon Martin case: Civil rights leaders to march in Tallahassee demanding independent investigation

Trayvon Martin’s death has galvanized the nation, and inspired many people to act — some in unusual or creative ways.

Bentley’s Lingerie Lounge in Greensboro, NC had planned to host a party tomorrow night in order to raise money for a scholarship named in honor of Trayvon, that, according to one party promoter’s Twitter feed, would be established by the NAACP.

The event was cancelled yesterday after an onslaught from Twitter followers of one of the party promotion groups, The Move Tonight Inc.

A line on the flyer that read, “Everyone free B4 11 with an empty bag of Skittles,” sparked the controversy.

There appeared to be confusion about the integrity of the event, because according to its promotional flyer — which reads, “Justice — In memory of Trayvon Martin,” atop a picture of the smiling 17-year-old, the party was using the death of this now symbolic teen to somehow attract party-goers.

Trayvon_Flier.jpg

Some Twitter followers said the message on the flyer was unclear.

“From what I was told, the promoters of the party were sending proceeds as well as the empty wrappers to Fl; should have put THAT on the flyer.”

The Move Tonight Inc (Twitter handle, @themove2night) said on their page about the event yesterday, “PROCEEDS from #Bentleys will be sent to the NAACP Scholarship Foundation and empty #Skittle bags are going to POLICE DEPT.”

This message was tweeted several times — to various followers — as if to clarify that the event was truly a fundraiser for Trayvon’s scholarship fund.

Finally, The Move Tonight Inc tweeted, “the flyer is down [because] it doesn’t have all the info on it. We was trying to give back not profit. It was miscommunication.”

The Move Tonight Inc apologized for all the confusion via Twitter.

Follow Briana Lopes on Twitter at @briananikohl

  • zimmerman.jpg
    Next Story:

    Trayvon Martin's shooter may go free because of corporate shenanigans

  • Sybrina_Fulton_Hoodie_March_.jpg
    Previous Story:

    Trayvon Martin's mom to participate in racial profiling forum in D.C.

Filed in: News, Top Stories | Related Topics: Bentleys, Club, Flyer, Fundraising, Greensboro, NAACP, North Carolina, Party, Scholarship, Skittles, Tweets, Twitter
  • Learn about our User Panel

    Read More
  • New Stories on theGrio

    • ‘Sopranos’ star James Gandolfini dead ‘Sopranos’ star James Gandolfini dead
    • On Frederick Douglass: No progress without struggle On Frederick Douglass: No progress without struggle
    • Juneteenth celebrations commemorate the end of slavery Juneteenth celebrations commemorate the end of slavery
    • ‘House of Curves’ host defends show ‘House of Curves’ host defends show
    • Zimmerman jurors asked about neighborhood watch
    • Blogging While Brown conference coming Friday to New York City
    • The top 5 rap lyrics of the week
    • Victim’s mother spends 20 years fighting police brutality
  • What Your Friends Are Reading

  • More from theGrio

More Stories on theGrio

Top News

Politics

  • Vice President Joe Biden (L), Interior Secretary Ken Salazar (2nd-L) and others react after U.S. President Barack Obama signed a bill designating the First State Monument, in Delaware, a National Monument, during a bill signing ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on March 25, 2013 in Washington, D.C.  (Photo by Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images)

    White House fight for gun control is far from over

  • House takes up far-reaching anti-abortion bill

  • Jesse Jackson Jr. wants to serve prison time before wife

  • First lady inspires youth of Ireland

» Read More in Politics

Business

  • This May 1, 2013 file photo shows Jay-Z at "The Great Gatsby" world premiere at Avery Fisher Hall in New York.  (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, file )

    With Samsung, business is booming for Jay-Z

  • Jay-Z announces new album

  • Dunkin' Donuts: Workers who endured racist rant will be 'honored'

  • Greene Scholars seeks to place black youth in STEM jobs

» Read More in Business

Living

  • Attendees at the Boston Prostate Cancer Educational Symposium, June 16, 2013

    Churches saving lives, not just souls

  • Climate change vs. black America

  • Serena Williams works teeny bikini on Miami Beach

  • Daughter inspires mom's natural hair care company

» Read More in Living

Inspiration

  • Ethel “Ellie” Hylton

    Woman graduates with highest GPA at Harvard

  • Ne-Yo: Fatherhood 'means being there'

  • Adele honored by Queen Elizabeth II

  • Man finds father through Facebook

» Read More in Inspiration

Entertainment

  • Kanye West (Getty)

    Kanye's 10 career defining songs

  • Vin Diesel talks new 'Riddick' film

  • 'Dark Girls' set to debut on OWN

  • Scott Disick plays 'American Psycho' for Kanye

» Read More in Entertainment

News

  • This undated family photo shows Aiyana Stanley-Jones, 7, who was shot and killed Sunday, May 16, 2010, by a shot from a Detroit police officer during a raid to arrest a murder suspect (AP Photo/Family Photo via The Detroit News)

    Jury can't reach verdict in Aiyana Jones shooting case

  • Surfer shot at during Dorner hunt files lawsuit

  • 911 call debated at Zimmerman trial

  • Mom seeks help to find son's killer

» Read More in News

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Politics
  • Living
  • Video
  • Inspire
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • News
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with TheGrio
  • About
©2013 NBCUniversal
Powered by WordPress.com VIP