JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON MARTIN?
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine Nolan
Who would have ever thought that a dark night in Sanford, Florida in the month of February would have turned the nation upside down and caused us to raise questions about racial profiling and individual rights?
As Trayvon Martin, 17 years of age, was walking back to his dad’s home through a gated community with a bag of skittles and an iced tea in hand in the dark of night, dressed in a hoodie, a neighborhood-watch volunteer spotted him. The volunteer who has come to be known as George Zimmerman, felt his life was threatened and shot Martin. Zimmerman is adamant that his life was in danger and there was a confrontation where his nose was broken and he received a severe cut to the back of his head before shooting Martin.
The looming question in most peoples’ minds is whether he was truly fearing for his own life or is it racial profiling? Zimmerman has not been charged to date even though the fatal incident took place on February 26th.
A sweeping gun law was put into effect seven years ago by then Florida Governor, Jeb Bush, which allowed individuals to defend themselves if they feel that they are in a position where their life is threatened. That partially serves as the basis for Zimmerman remaining free at this time. George Zimmerman is White Hispanic and has stated that he and his wife have served as mentors to two teenage children of an Afro-American woman.
However, Trayvon Martin’s family plan to pursue a civil case against the Twin Lakes Homeowner’s Association and are contemplating a suit on a state level against Zimmerman. This was their son who had so much to live for with his whole life ahead of him.
This case has sparked immense anger across the country. Hundreds are marching in Washington. President Obama spoke out on Friday and in his words, “I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this and everybody pulls together-federal, state and local-to figure out exactly how this tragedy happened.”
Today, churches in Atlanta and New York are honoring the teen that was killed. The sermon in Atlanta will be preached in a hoodie. A “Hundred Hoodie March” will also take place today in Rockford, Illinois and “Million Hoodie March” in Rochester, New York.
In Sanford, a “prayer for peace” and a candlelight vigil takes place this evening. Montgomery, Alabama is also holding a candlelight vigil at the Civil Rights Memorial.
Rallies have been taking place in many different cities and Sanford was the target for the New Black Panther Party Rally on Saturday as they offered a $10,000 reward for Zimmerman’s capture.
Florida Governor, Rick Scott, has created a task force to review the “stand your ground” law. This undertaking is looked at positively since Florida seems to be in the hot seat at the moment. Sanford’s handling of this case will also be reviewed by state and federal authorities. Sanford’s police chief has also temporarily resigned.
With the enormous focus on this case, justice surely will prevail in the end. Heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Martin family on the loss of Trayvon.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF A/P
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