Photo credit – ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
7 years ago today, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin had his life taken away. Today we celebrate his life and legacy. On February 26, 2012, Martin was shot due at the ruthless hands of George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida. He told the police he killed the teen in self-defense after a fight.
While walking home from the store, Trayvon Martin was shot to death and his life was unjustly taken away. He was unarmed, just going to get some skittles in his hoodie. His death sparked national attention with protests, debates and even President Obama spoke out. Trayvon’s case raised a lot of questions about race, guns, justice, and it ultimately led to a number of federal, state and local investigations. George Zimmerman was eventually brought to trial on second-degree murder charges and the jury found him not guilty.
We honor Trayvon today by calling out racism, the ridiculous rise in vigilante violence, and the proliferation of guns. We will continue the fight for racial justice. As black history month comes to an end, his story will live on forever and won’t ever be forgotten. He would have been 24 this month, his birthday was on February 5.
Today in downtown Dallas, the North Texas Action Committee held a vigil for Trayvon Martin. NTAC president Syd Loving said, “we can’t let their stories disappear. We have to continue to say their names.”
“Hoodies up for Trayvon!” May he forever rest in POWER!