Celebrities Napalm Geraldo Rivera, Mourn Trayvon Martin Via Twitter
by Sean Comer
There's such a thing as "bad timing." Then again, there's also such a thing as "terrible timing."
Amid a national outpouring of support for slain 17-year-old Sanford, Fla. teen Trayvon Martin's family - and an equally fervent demand that George Zimmerman, the night watchman who shot him allegedly in self-defense, be arrested - comes Geraldo Rivera with some weapons-grade, flammable stupid. The former talk show host Thursday evening set off his own Twitter brushfire when he suggested that Martin might still be alive had merely dressed differently the night of Feb. 26 when he walked to a nearby 7-Eleven for a snack.
According to Rivera...
His hoodie killed Trayvon Martin as surely as George Zimmerman.
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) March 23, 2012
"Parks And Recreation" star Aziz Ansari kept his remark short, but his feelings unmistakable:
It's really appropriate to tweet this any day, but seriously - Fuck you Geraldo.
— Aziz Ansari (@azizansari) March 23, 2012
Since news of Martin's shooting spread across the nation, donning a hoodie has become a symbol of support to the Martin family, especially celebrities and athletes. Diddy's Friday tweet combined his own hooded in-memoriam but also a swipe right back at Rivera. Saturday, he added a tweet linking to a Change.org petition demanding Zimmerman's prosecution.
Zimmerman is currently protected by Florida's Stand Your Ground Law, which protects individuals from prosecution in gun-related incidents where self-defense is claimed.
I didn't know wearing a hoodie made me a target---> instagr.am/p/Ii3Otkpl4m/ #trayvonmartin #MillionHoodies RT TO THE WORLD!!
— iamdiddy (@iamdiddy) March 24, 2012
Join us for justice, sign the petition--> tinyurl.com/7m42yth#TrayvonMartin
— iamdiddy (@iamdiddy) March 24, 2012
Ansari and Diddy's tweets were but the tip of the iceberg. An array of celebrities have poured out their hearts and demanded that Zimmerman face trial.
Proud of my teammates today.Join us for justice, sign the petition tinyurl.com/7m42yth #TrayvonMartin
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 24, 2012
Retweet!!! to your followers. Sign the petition demand justice 4 #TRAYVONMARTIN #MILLIONHOODIESchange.org/petitions/pros…" twitter.com/Nelly_Mo/statu…
— Nelly_Mo(@Nelly_Mo) March 24, 2012
Had to Hoodie up for Trayvon bit.ly/FRj1va what a sad situation ! Blessing to his fam. instagr.am/p/Ihqii_SDNe/
—SWIZZ BEATZ (@THEREALSWIZZZ) March 23, 2012
Let's seek justice for Trayvon Martin. We will fight for a society that is compassionate and loving, not one that pre-judges and stereotypes
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) March 15, 2012
There are 17,000 people on our facebook page: Justice For Trayvon Martin. pls join us... on.fb.me/yKjNtj
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) March 20, 2012
Justice for #TrayvonMartin...sign the peititon for Geo Zimmerman's arrest.God forbid if this happened to your child change.org/petitions/pros… #
— Sherri Shepherd (@SherriEShepherd) March 22, 2012
The #TrayvonMartin tragedy ISNT a "Black Issue"...I hope all races are equally heartbroken, outraged & moved 2 take action.
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) March 22, 2012