Iconic film director Spike Lee found himself with some legal troubles recently after he tweeted what he thought was the home address of George Zimmerman, the Florida man who shot and killed 17-year old Trayvon Martin in February. Turns out, he had the wrong George Zimmerman.
The address actually belongs to an elderly couple in Sanford, and after Lee tweeted the address to his more than 250,000 followers, the couple received death threats and hate mail, forcing them to vacate their home. Elaine and David McClain say their son, William George Zimmerman, hasn’t even lived in their home since the ’90s.
The McClains say Lee has taken full responsibility for his mistake, however, and have reached a settlement with him in which he compensated them for the loss of their home and the negative attention he brought down on them. He even called the couple personally to apologize.
“He was really kind,” Elaine McClain said. “And when he called us, you could just tell he really felt bad about it. And it was just a slip, and I just know that he really, really has been concerned.”
The director issued an apology via Twitter, as well:
I Deeply Apologize To The McClain Family For Retweeting Their Address.It Was A Mistake.Please Leave The McClain’s In Peace.Justice In Court
Lee has been on the receiving end of some backlash regarding other tweets, as well:
@SpikeLee I luv how you retweet the most ignorant, racists comments sent to you. “thank whitey for all ur success?” WTH? #racismstillexist
People,The Thinking Behind Me Retweeting These Insane Racist Rants Is Because This Sickness Must Be Exposed.USA Post Racial Society?????????
“@Kurt_Steinberg: @SpikeLee You have done more to promote racism than the KKK could have ever dreamed of doing.”These Are Some Sick People.
@Kurt_Steinberg. Hey Mr,Steinberg,Have I Ever Strung Any Human Beings from A Tree,Castrated,Maimed Or Burnt Someone To Death?You Are CRAZY
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