‘Trayvon Martin Day’: Carrick High School Cancels Controversial Homecoming Theme After Parent Complaints

One Pittsburgh high school had planned a “Trayvon Martin Day” as part of its annual homecoming Spirit Week, but the tribute isn't going to happen.

Carrick High School students wanted to pay tribute to Martin, the Florida teen whose shooting death in February 2012 sparked national discussion on racial profiling, but parent and student complaints regarding the celebration, originally scheduled to take place Wednesday, resulted in a cancellation. According to a report from CBS Pittsburgh Monday, individuals expressed their concerns that students were encouraged to “wear hoodies” during the celebration, like Trayvon was wearing the night he was shot and killed by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman.

According to Homecoming Committee member Javon Jordan, the day's celebration has since been changed to “Bucco hat day” in response to the complaints. “It brought up some controversy to the point where there were people giving mixed signals about it,” said the student, adding, “We just used Bucco Day to put everybody together, put everybody as a whole.”

While the cancelled celebration has now become a source of controversy, principal Dennis Chakey told the NY Daily News that the theme was meant to be positive, to raise social awareness. “It became more apparent that some students were uncomfortable with it and were concerned about how it would be viewed if they did not participate,” added Ebony Pugh, public information officer for the district.

Social media users were not divided in their opinions, according to a report from News One. “Skittles and ice tea for lunch,” wrote Twitter user @GCGATOR24 Tuesday, referencing the items Martin purchased shortly before his death. “What do kids do, skip school & smoke weed,” wrote another Twitter user, Carlos Hernandez Tuesday.