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Fundraiser for Teen Accused in Fatal Stabbing Receives Over $455,000 Amidst Controversy
A crowdfunding campaign for Karmelo Anthony, the 17-year-old charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of another teenager, has garnered more than $455,000. The online fundraiser on GiveSendGo, initiated by Anthony’s family, has drawn substantial contributions and sparked racially charged remarks from donors across the nation, celebrating Anthony’s actions at a track meet.
Donors Laud Accused Teen, Fueling Racial Tensions
“Keep doing what you do young man,” expressed one anonymous donor contributing $100. “You are an anti-bullying hero, a scholar, and a gentleman.” This sentiment reflects a portion of the donor comments, with some individuals praising Anthony and seemingly justifying the alleged violent act.
Other donations included racially provocative statements. One $20 donor alluded to racial divisions, writing, “US AGAINST THEM! PERIOD!” Another comment, liked 23 times, asserted, “We are the defenders of our LINEAGE. This is America and these flat-whiteness immigrants from all over the world has always been open ENEMIES towards FOUNDATIONAL BLACK AMERICANS from Day 1 NO MORE.”
The largest single contribution reached $3,000, and over 20 individuals have donated at least $1,000 to Anthony. He is currently facing first-degree murder charges stemming from an incident at a track meet in Frisco, Texas, on April 2. Witnesses reported that Anthony allegedly stabbed 17-year-old Austin Metcalf in the heart after Metcalf attempted to remove him from a tent.
According to a police report, Metcalf succumbed to his injuries and bled to death in his twin brother’s arms.
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Outpouring of Support for Accused Sparks Criticism
The significant financial support and apparent glorification of Anthony’s alleged actions have been met with considerable criticism, labeled as disturbing given the available details of the case.
This situation is described as reflecting a broader trend of a “victim” industrial complex, amplified by social media and crowdfunding platforms. These platforms, critics argue, can incentivize individuals indirectly involved to escalate and prolong contentious situations.
Family Relocates to Gated Community Amidst Donations
Anthony was released from custody on Monday on a reduced bond of $250,000, lowered from an initial $1 million. During court proceedings, his legal representatives clarified that the received donations were not intended for bond but were being used by his parents for living expenses, including rent and bills.
Reports indicate that the Anthony family has relocated to a $900,000 residence within a luxury gated community in Frisco.
Defense attorney Mike Howard stated, “There’s been a tremendous amount of pressure. I think at this point, living in a gated community, given everything, the safety of their younger children, is very warranted.”
Martyrdom and Fundraising: A Recurring Pattern
The Anthony family’s situation is presented as part of a larger pattern of individuals and groups benefiting financially from public sympathy and perceived martyrdom. Comparisons are drawn to instances where Black Lives Matter leaders faced scrutiny for using donations for personal real estate purchases, while families of deceased children pleaded with the organization to cease fundraising using their children’s names.
Another example cited is the substantial funds raised for deportation-related cases, including over $557,000 for detained Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil and over $235,000 for the wife of Armando Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, via GoFundMe.
Irony Highlighted: Support for Alleged Perpetrator
However, the article emphasizes the perceived irony of the Anthony case, contrasting it with deportation fundraisers. Anthony, unlike deportation cases, is presented as the alleged perpetrator in a crime resulting in a fatality, yet he is receiving significant financial support.
Donors continue to contribute. One donor using the name Black American Lineage commented, “Let the racist tears flow. WE GOT YOUR BACK BROTHER KARMELO.”
While acknowledging the principle of due process and the possibility of new evidence emerging during Anthony’s trial, the article expresses concern over the extensive donor support. It suggests that over 13,000 donors appear to be condoning the alleged act as a form of “racial vindication,” portraying Metcalf as a symbol of white America.
One anonymous donor commented, “This is for justice and equity… This does not make up for legacies of racism and white violence, but it is a small ripple in a larger fight for justice.”
Politicization of Individual Violence
The article argues that this trend reflects a troubling pattern of linking individual acts of violence to broader political narratives. Just as some view United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson’s alleged murder at the hands of Luigi Mangione as symbolic of resistance against the healthcare system, donors supporting Anthony’s campaign appear to justify the alleged murder of Austin Metcalf by framing him as a representation of white supremacy.
The situation is described as a “racialized, politicized mess” affecting both sides of the issue.
Counter-Fundraiser and Racially Charged Comments
Simultaneously, the GoFundMe fundraiser for the Metcalf family has also raised over $388,000. However, comments on this campaign have been filled with anti-black rhetoric and white power tropes, mirroring the racial polarization seen in Anthony’s fundraiser comments.
Victim’s Father Pleads Against Racializing Tragedy
Jeff Metcalf, Austin’s father, publicly appealed against turning his son’s death into a racial conflict. Days after the incident, Metcalf stated on Fox News, “This was not a race thing. This was not a political thing,” he said. “Please do not comment if you do not know what happened. Try not to turn this into a racial thing. It was not. Do not politicize it.”