In the midst of the viral Ice Bucket Challenge craze, which is being used to raise awareness of ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease, actor Orlando Jones has started his own bucket challenge — without the ice. Using bullet shell casings instead, Jones drenches himself with the shells to represent the lives that were sadly cut short as a result of police brutality.
Jones’ mission with his Bullet Bucket Challenge is to bring attention to police violence against African Americans that has dominated headlines in recent weeks. Recent killings of unarmed African American men, including Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Ezell Ford, and John Crawford has ignited protests and police backlash. The Bullet Bucket Challenge is more of a statement compared to the charitable fundraising initiative of the Ice Bucket Challenge. But nonetheless, just watching Jones pour numerous bullet shell casings over his head is powerful. See for yourself …
The co-founder of the Ice Bucket Challenge, Corey Griffin, died over the weekend by drowning. The 27 year old, who started the challenge after a close friend was diagnosed with the degenerative disease, accidentally drowned after diving from a building located on Straight Wharf into the water off the coast of Nantucket, Mass. around 2 a.m.
Before his death, the ALS bucket challenge raised over $15 million dollars in donations.