Minnesota's Keith Ellison Responds to Donald Trump Jr.'s Skittles-Refugees Tweet

Donald Trump Jr., son of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, became the target of criticism Monday when he tweeted a controversial image featuring a bowl of Skittles and the words, "If I had a bowl of Skittles and I told you three of them would kill you. Would you take a handful?"

"That’s our Syrian refugee problem."

The controversial image and message came after violent attacks in New Jersey, New York City, and Minnesota over the weekend. The Trump campaign has used the attacks to justify its closed-borders policies.

Among the many people who responded to Trump Jr.'s tweet was Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), who posted a photo of his own bowl of Skittles with the accompanying message: "America is an inclusive and tolerant place. Stop by my office. Have a Skittle."

A representative from the company that owns Skittles also responded to Trump Jr.'s tweet.

"Skittles are candy. Refugees are people," Denise Young, vice president of corporate affairs for Wrigley, which owns Skittles, said in the statement.

"We don't feel it's an appropriate analogy. We will respectfully refrain from further commentary as anything we say could be misinterpreted as marketing."

Image: Amy via Flickr /Creative Commons