LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Erica Chapman, the cousin of Zyahna Bryant, who was hired by Dove to promote "fat liberation”, is facing people’s wrath online after launching a GoFundMe to make the BLM activist feel ‘safe’ and ‘protected.’
Chapman launched the fundraising campaign after Bryant was slammed online for ruining a white student's life over a remark that she admits she may have 'misheard.'
Chapman stated that Bryant “has passionately and courageously supported important social issues since she was 12 years old.” “Whether it's a local family in need or a national social justice issue, Zyahna readily offers meaningful front-line assistance,” she added.
“Sadly, in today's national climate with so many angry, violent and unpredictable people, being a visible outspoken advocate and activist comes with significant risks,” Chapman asserted, adding that Bryant has been “receiving hate mail and threats for YEARS, and recently they have become worse.”
“We do not want to allow these racist attacks to take away from that. Please help Zyahna's friends and family support her by ensuring she's SAFE and protected as she continues her important work assisting and elevating marginalized people and communities,” the GoFundMe continued.
Although it's not obvious how the money will be used, the fundraiser has already raised approximately $10,000 of its $15,000 goal.
However, Bryant doesn't seem to be short on security support. Last week, the BLM activist called the Chief of Charlottesville Police Mike Kochis on Daily Mail after their reporter arrived at her home and requested an interview.
Bryant appears to have the top cop on speed dial despite publicly pushing for the defunding of the police, according to DailyMail.
Why was Zyahna Bryant hired by Dove?
Earlier this month, the 22-year-old Bryant took to her Instagram to share a video where she declared that she is now a "Dove Ambassador" and also discussed "fat liberation," a campaign to end the stigma of being overweight.
"#DovePartner Fat liberation is something we should all be talking about!" she wrote in the caption, adding, "That's why I am partnering with Dove, to support the work of @naafaofficial, @flareforjustice in the Campaign for Size Freedom."
In a clip, the activist noted, "My belief is that we should be centering the voices and experiences of the most marginalized people and communities at all times."
Bryant’s partnership with Dove came after she allegedly ruined Morgan Bettinger’s life by accusing her of referring to George Floyd protesters as “speed bumps” and threatening to run them over.
The incident took place in 2020 when Bettinger mistakenly drove into a street where protesters were gathered amid the George Floyd protests.
"It's a good thing that you are here because otherwise these people would have been speed bumps," she told a truck driver, who was in front of her and blocking the way.
However, Bryant, who works on issues of racial justice in Charlottesville, tweeted that Bettinger allegedly claimed the protesters would have made "good speedbumps" and suggested the remarks had been made with malice.
In the following days, Bryant began demanding that school administrators expel Bettinger. She also filed a complaint with the University Judiciary Committee, a student-run disciplinary system, alleging Bettinger's presence was threatening the students’ health and safety.
Bettinger was the subject of multiple investigations in the months that followed, Reason reported. A student disciplinary hearing concluded that Bettinger was guilty of making a legal threat against the protesters.
According to Reason, a second inquiry revealed Bryant likely didn't even hear Bettinger's words directly and deemed her testimony shaky.
GoFundMe for Zyahna Bryant leaves netizens angry
The fundraising campaign for Bryant has garnered immense social media attention, with netizens slamming her for begging for money despite having a stable job.
“No thanks. Doesn’t she have a job??” one user said, while a second wrote, “Earning coin in today world, it has changed since I was a kid.... but it is a lot easier to fabricate stories, then to do physical work.”
“Didn’t she cause threats and hate mail to the woman she falsely accused?” a third user fumed. Another said, “She can dish it out, but she can't take it.”
“For what? Does Dove not pay her enough so she can afford Golden Corral?” someone else asked.
