Updated at 8:09 a.m. ET: The death of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed 17-year-old shot earlier this month by a neighborhood watch volunteer, has prompted a protest aimed at the police department that initially investigated the case. The weapon: Skittles.
A campaign mounted through Facebook and Twitter is asking people to mail packages of the candy to Bill Lee, police chief of the Sanford Police Department, which released the man who shot Martin after questioning. The campaign has been touted at the DailyKos.com and theurbandaily.com.
They’ve chosen Skittles because that’s what Martin was carrying when George Zimmerman, 28, spotted Martin, a black teen who was walking home from a convenience store at night in a gated community. Zimmerman told police he shot Martin in self-defense after a confrontation.
Mom: Trayvon Martin was killed because of 'the color of his skin'
Martin’s death set off protests around the United States from people demanding that Zimmerman’s actions be investigated. More than 818,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org, a social action website, calling for his arrest, Reuters reported.
At a rally Wednesday evening in New York attended by Martin's parents, protesters held signs decorated with Skittles.
PhotoBlog: Showing support for Trayvon Martin
In a statement, a spokeswoman for Skittles said: "We are deeply saddened by the news of Trayvon Martin's death and express our sincere condolences to his family and friends. We also respect their privacy and feel it inappropriate to get involved or comment further as we would never wish for our actions to be perceived as an attempt of commercial gain following this tragedy.”
Neighbor defends Trayvon Martin's shooter: 'No Rambo'
Responding to the outcry, the Florida state attorney announced Tuesday that a grand jury would investigate the teen’s death.
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