Story perspectives

AriZona 99-cent cans became Black Lives Matter protest symbol

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 2:33 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

AriZona cans and Skittles became early protest symbols for Black Lives Matter after Zimmerman’s acquittal.
AriZona introduced 99-cent cans in 1997 and kept price stable despite inflation.
The 99-cent price became a benchmark for youth allowance and part-time earnings.
On Feb. 26 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin bought an AriZona drink at a 7-Eleven in Sanford, Florida.

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Story summary

AriZona cans and Skittles became early protest symbols for Black Lives Matter after Zimmerman’s acquittal.
AriZona introduced 99-cent cans in 1997 and kept price stable despite inflation.
The 99-cent price became a benchmark for youth allowance and part-time earnings.
On Feb. 26 2012, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin bought an AriZona drink at a 7-Eleven in Sanford, Florida.