Second Anniversary of the Shooting Death of Trayvon Martin

Trayvon Benjamin Martin

“Justice in America: Trayvon Martin, Race, and the Law” is the title of the talk that attorney Benjamin Crump will give at 6 p.m. tonight at the Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI.

According to WKAR, Attorney Crump says he is going to talk to the next generation of lawyers about the future and encourage them to understand their obligation to equal justice.

Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin

Tonight, Tracy Martin appeared on Politicsnation with Reverend Al Sharpton on MSNBC, addressing how he misses Trayvon and changes that he seeks in Stand Your Ground law that allowed Trayvon’s killer to go free.

 

Trayvon Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, have been the epitome of class and dignity, advocating for the repeal of Stand Your Ground laws and against racial profiling.

It has been seven months since George Zimmerman was acquitted on charges of 2^nd degree murder for the killing of Trayvon Martin.  Zimmerman’s acquittal enraged the nation and that continues.  It was not only that Zimmerman was acquitted, but why he was acquitted.  The Monday after Zimmerman’s acquittal, literary agent Sharlene Martin released information that she was looking for a book deal for Juror B37, saying that the jury decided he was not guilty “…due to the manner in which he was charged…”  Those who watched the voir dire of potential jurors remember that Juror B37 is the person who referred to rallies and peaceful protests as “riots.”  Many still wonder why she made it on the jury.

Maddy, Juror B 29

A few days later, Maddy, Juror B29, came to the media, and what she said enraged the nation more.

Those on verdict watch might remember that the jury presented a question to the court to clarify manslaughter, and the Honorable Judge Nelson responded to that question by asking that the jury be more specific.   Rather than the foreperson presenting Judge Nelson with a specific question, the jury returned the verdict of not guilty.

In her interviews, Maddy revealed that the law was read to her to say that unless the State proved intent, that the jury could not convict Zimmerman. Maddy’s stated opinion on national television is that Zimmerman got away with murder.

What America heard from those two jurors is that they did apply the facts and evidence to the law to acquit Zimmerman.  Rather, the jury acquitted Zimmerman because Juror B37 did not like protests for his arrest, and Maddy was deprived of an interpretation of law by the judge, and duped into believing an interpretation by at least one lay-person on the jury.

Sybrina Fulton continues being productive and positive,  and there are many supporting her efforts, her courage, and honoring her faith and commitment.   The New York Times reported that two different publishing insiders are interested in having Tracy and Sybrina write a book about the shooting and the loss of their son.

Jamie Foxx

Academy award winner Jamie Foxx has been among the most vocal celebrities expressing support for Trayvon’s family.  Regarding Sybrina, Foxx told the Washington Times, “We have to protect our kids. So I stand with her forever.”

Tracy and Sybrina established The Trayvon Martin Foundation.  The site sets forth that the scope of the Foundation’s mission is to advocate that crime victims and their families are not ignored in the discussions about violent crime; to increase public awareness of all forms of racial, ethnic and gender profiling; educate youth on conflict resolution techniques, and to reduce the incidences where confrontations between strangers turn deadly.

As stated on the website, Trayvon Benjamin Martin “has awaken us to go forward with faith, courage and empowerment…”

Here’s a cyber-hug from all of us to Tracy and Sybrina.

http://trayvonmartinfoundation.org/about-us/mission/