Support pouring in for bullied Tennessee boy

KNOXVILLE, Tn. (WTVQ) – A Tennessee mother’s heartbreaking video posted on Facebook with her son tearfully asking “why do they bully” has gone viral and prompted a groundswell of support.

Kimberly Jones posted the video on Friday. That video has been viewed more than 22 million times.

Jones said she had just picked up her son, Keaton, from school because he was too afraid to go to lunch.

In the video, Keaton said other students call him ugly, make fun of his nose and tell him he has no friends.

He goes on to describe his experience from the day, including how other students poured milk on him and put food down his clothes.

He says he is not the sole victim of bullying at his school, and that other students are targets too.

Keaton says people who are different shouldn’t be criticized for that. Keaton ends the video by saying “it will probably get better one day.”

The video has prompted a tidal wave of support from celebrities, including Justin Bieber, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Katy Perry, Snoop Dog, members of the Tennessee Titans and actor Chris Evans, who tweeted: “Stay strong, Keaton. Don’t let them make you turn cold. I promise it gets better. While those punks at your school are deciding what kind of people they want to be in this world, how would you and your mom like to come to the Avengers premiere in LA next year?”

As of Monday morning, a crowdsourcing page had raised more than $46,000 for the boy.

Nearly 450,000 people had shared Kimberly Jones’ original Facebook post as of Monday.