Samaria Rice, the mother of Tamir Rice, has accused Shaun King of profiting off of her son's death. Rice went off after King published details of a conversation they had. Shaun wrote, “It was a much-needed conversation. I learned a lot. Listened a lot. Shared my heart. And pledged we would continue to fight to get justice and accountability for Tamir.”
Rice wrote via Instagram, “Why do you think its so important to tell folks we had a conversation. Well we talked and everything that was said was very toxic and uncomfortable for me to hear that you raised additional money and then say you did not want to bother me. Personally I don’t understand how you sleep at night.”
She continued, “I never gave you permission to raise nothing. Along with the united states, you robbed me for the death of my son.”
Samaria Rice started the Tamir Rice Foundation in 2017, three years after the death of her son.
KING OUTLINES HOW HE RAISED $125,000 FOR THE TAMIR RICE FOUNDATION
According to Page Six, in a post on his website on Tuesday (June 22nd), King outlined how he raised a total of $125, 000 through several fundraisers and didn’t receive a penny for his efforts. He also revealed that he had nothing to do with disbursement of the money.
He added that Rice may have been misled about his efforts. King said that he and Rice had met last week after one of the staffers on his team at the Grassroots Law Project worked alongside the Tamir Rice Foundation.
He explained, “My first question for the organizer on our team was whether or not Tamir’s mother, Samaria, was aware I was that I lead the Grassroots Law Project (GLP). She was. I was surprised because for the past few months Samaria had included my name in a list of activists and organizers and attorneys that she was frustrated with.”
He said at the meeting he apologized to Rice for “not actually being in her face in 2014 and 2015 and wrongly assuming that the people around her were doing right by her.”
King explained, “In an attempt to stay out of her hair, and give her space, I left her more alone than I understood. I regret that tremendously and moving forward I will make sure it never happens that way again. Everything else – every harsh word said about me, every lie spread by people about my work for Samaria, I just have to let go of. For her. And for Tamir.”
Rice added in her Instagram post, “All lies Shaun, please stop thinking we on the same page. As a white man acting black you are a imposter that can not to be trusted. You are a self centered person and God will deal with you White man.”