What Happened?

 

On the evening of February 26 2012, Trayvon Martin—an unarmed 17-year-old African American student—was confronted, shot, and killed near his home by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain in Sanford, Florida.

 

Martin, a Miami native, was visiting his father in Sanford and watching the NBA All-Star game at a house in a gated Sanford community, the Retreat at Twin Lakes. That evening, Martin walked out to the nearby 7-Eleven to get some Skittles and Arizona Iced Tea. On his return trip, he drew the attention of Zimmerman, who was patrolling the neighborhood in a sport-utility vehicle and called 911 to report "a real suspicious guy."

"This guy looks like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something," Zimmerman told the dispatcher. "It's raining, and he's just walking around looking about." The man tried to explain where he was. "Now he's coming towards me. He's got his hand in his waistband. And he's a black male...Something's wrong with him. Yup, he's coming to check me out. He's got something in his hands. I don't know what his deal is...These assholes, they always get away."

 

After discussing his location with the dispatcher, Zimmerman exclaimed, "Shit, he's running," and the following sounds suggest he left his vehicle to run after Martin.

"Are you following him?" the dispatcher asked. Zimmerman replied: "Yep."

"Okay, we don't need you to do that," the dispatcher warned.

Several minutes later, according to other callers to 911 in the neighborhood, Zimmerman and Martin got into a wrestling match on the ground. One of the pair could be heard screaming for help. Then a single shot rang out, and Martin lay dead.

 

Zimmerman was initially released. It was not until the general public began to speak up without backing down, that Zimmerman was eventually arrested and charged with the murder of Trayvon Martin.

 

 

Today...

 

After a roughly 5-week trial in June- July 2013, George Zimmerman was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter. The verdict sparked anger, outrage, and heartbreak across the country. Protests ensued in several cities, including New York, by supporters of Trayvon's family. Many protesters voiced the opinion that Trayvon was targeted and killed for racial reasons.

 

We cannot sit idly by as these injustices continue to manifest... The fight is far from over...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Can You Help?

 

It is during these troubled and adverse times that we must stand and speak up for what is right, Justice for Trayvon. The Department of Justice can still address the violation of Trayvon's most fundamental civil right - the right to live, and we MUST urge them to do so.

NAACP is currently putting together a petition to the Department of Justice, urging them to file civil rights charges against George Zimmerman. The link is provided below.

As we move on throughout each day, let us all not to forget what brought us to this day. Let's turn our anger and frustration into action by demanding TRUE justice and signing the petition, becoming one step closer to ending racial profiling. It is our turn to act!