PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — The mother of Trayvon Martin, the teenager shot and killed in an incident that sparked a nationwide debate about race, will be coming to Portland.
Sybrina Fulton will be speaking at a free event at Maranatha Church in Northeast Portland on April 13. She’s speaking on transforming her tragedy into social change. It’s hosted by the YWCA of Greater Portland.
Trayvon Martin was 17 when he was shot and killed by George Zimmerman as he walked home from a convenience store in 2012. Zimmerman claims he shot Martin in self-defense, although Martin was unarmed at the time. His death sparked nationwide protests and debates about race relations.
Zimmerman was acquitted of murder charges in the shooting.
George Zimmerman smiles as attorney Mark O'Mara questions potential jurors for Zimmerman's trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla., Thursday, June 20, 2013. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder for the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin. (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel, Gary Green) George Zimmerman smiles as attorney Mark O’Mara questions potential jurors for Zimmerman’s trial in Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla., Thursday, June 20, 2013. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder for the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin. (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel, Gary Green)
more infor: http://koin.com/2015/04/03/trayvon-martins-mother-to-speak-in-portland/
Do not let Trayvon die in vain. Taking the law, and a gun, into one's own hands and shooting children "to stand on your dirt," is not something we should condone, allow, or accept. No Justice, No Peace. http://www.ThePortlandAlliance.org/trayvonmartin
Video of Justice for Trayvon rally Sunday now available both on Vimeo and YouTube: Justice for Trayvon Martin, 7,14,13 http://vimeo.com/70521059
"Justice for Trayvon Martin rally in Portland, Oregon. Rally at Peninsula Park, followed by a march. Nearly a thousand people gathered to share thoughts about the non-conviction of the person who murdered Trayvon Martin." http://www.youtube.com/ my_videos_upload
Washington, DC, July 14, 2013 - We are extremely disappointed by the verdict in the case of State of Florida v. George Zimmerman. As lawyers we respect the rule of law, but in this instance the Zimmerman verdict sadly highlights the continued injustices Black Americans face in the U.S. legal system.
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."
Coulda, woulda, shoulda.
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."
1. Zimmerman could have not followed Martin.
George Zimmerman is not a law enforcement official trained in spotting suspicious or criminal behavior. Zimmerman told a police dispatcher that Martin seemed suspicious and appeared to be "on drugs or something. It's raining and he’s just walking around, looking about." This was early evening, a time when people typically "walk around, looking about." Had Zimmerman simply gone about his business, Martin would still be alive. But Zimmerman followed him because he was black. This is called profiling.
2. Zimmerman could have listened to the Police Dispatcher, and not followed Martin. 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 to the nearby 7-Eleven to get some Skittles and Arizona Iced Tea. On his return trip, Zimmerman, who was patrolling the neighborhood in a sport-utility vehicle,
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, Zimmerman says he and Martin got into a wrestling match on the ground. Martin could be heard screaming for help until a single shot rang out, and he was dead.
Are the 911 recordings available to the public?
Yes. After public pressure, the city of Sanford played the tapes for Martin's family, then released the audio recordings. Here are some excerpts. You can also read a full transcript of George Zimmerman's initial police call here, along with an examination of whether he used a racial epithet, as some listeners have suggested.
3. If Zimmerman had not been armed, he may not have followed Martin.
Zimmerman knew he had an advantage in any possible confrontation.
He was concealing a weapon. If a fight were to start, and Zimmerman began losing, he could pull out the gun and shoot the boy. The state of Florida allows Zimmerman, as a neighborhood watcher, to patrol his neighborhood armed.
4. If Zimmerman's weapon had not been hidden, Martin might
have dealt with him differently.
When a man follows another, tensions rise. One way or another, those tensions led to a physical confrontation. But if Florida law barred concealed carry, Martin would have known Zimmerman was armed and may not have asked him why he was following him, he would have continued to elude him. But Zimmerman was not just watching, he was carrying a concealed weapon, which he used against a child.
6. Zimmerman could have not shot and killed Martin.
If there was a fight, regardless of who threw the first punch, a series of aggressive decisions by Zimmerman started the altercation. Zimmerman is responsibility for creating the ruckus. If one starts a fight and loses, the result is generally a bloody nose, a fat lip, a black eye, a concussion or even a broken bone. That's the price for getting into a fight, and it's a deterrent.
Zimmerman could have chosen to take his lumps and rethink the decisions he had made that landed him where he was. Instead, he pulled out his gun, squeezed the trigger and killed Trayvon Martin, the skinny teenager on his way home from the 7-11.
7. Trayvon Martin could have chosen to not defend himself.
It's important to note that the jury's verdict sends a message to anyone confronted or pursued: If you engage the confrontation, even an act of self-defense could be used as justification to shoot and kill you. What led up to the confrontation in the Martin-Zimmerman case was ruled irrelevant; only Zimmerman's state of mind at the time he shot him was to be taken into account by the jury. But the jury was poorly advised. What took place was at the very least, manslaugther, voluntary or involentary. We have a body.
But this verdict, "not guilty, doesn't leave someone being followed through their neighborhood many options. While the armed vigilantes stand their ground, the rest of us need to reach for higher ground. A place where the U.S. constituion and the Bill of Rights are more than scraps of paper, and armed adults do not chase down and murder children, just because they can.
awesome rally and march today!! over 1,000 folks took over the north side to demand justice for the killing of trayvon martin, and with only a day's notice and planning. portland rocks!!
The NAACP website has crashed while news of George Zimmerman’s acquittal has gone viral on the web.
Many industry leaders, civil rights activists and public figures have spoken out about the trial, in what has become a huge debate in America about racial prejudice.
Celebrities have responded to the outcome of the trial while the NAACP have asked for calm in order to pursue justice in the face of the trial’s verdict. While many communities will be outraged by the outcome, it certainly isn’t the last we’ve heard about Zimmerman, nor do we know where this will lead.
George Zimmerman ignored the police dispatcher's instruction to leave Trayvon alone. This was a violation of the basic rules for Neighborhood Watch. He then tracked down a 17 year-old kid because he was black and vulnerable. Trayvon was unarmed and walking home with his Skittles and Ice tea. George accosted the young man and after an ostensible scuffle, pulled a gun on him. Instead of displaying his weapon and ending the altercation, George shot the young man. Why wait for the police who were on the way? He figured he could get away with it.
George was not found guilty of any crime, a 17 year old kid who committed only the crime of walking while black is now dead.
We are all Trayvon. This injustice, this injudicious decision, leaves us vulnerable to hot-heads, racists and overly aggressive buttinskis.
So, until there is justice there will be no peace. Righteous troublemakers need to exercise civic-engagement: meet, rally, march, and organize until we can once again feel safe to allow our children to walk home from the 7-11, without fear of an unwanted confrontation with an armed aggressor with an agenda. Our children desrve better. We deserve better.
NoJustice, No Peace. Time to take it to the streets: Stand Up, Speak Out, Meet, Rally, March, and Demand Peace, Justice and Freedom.
Trayvon need not die in vain.
ZIMMERMAN HAS BEEN FOUND NOT GUILTY. HE WALKS -- SO WE SHALL DO THE SAME. SUNDAY AND MONDAY: DAYS OF ABSENCE, A TOTAL NATIONAL BLACKOUT. Call in sick and tired. Call in angry. Call in crazy. But stay home from work if at all possible. Boycott transit. Boycott non-black businesses. Wear black armbands in solidarity (especially if you feel you have to go to work for fear of losing your job, or if you are essential personnel).
The exception: The film "Fruitvale Station," about the murder of Oscar Grant by a BART cop. If it is playing in your town, go see it. Discuss it. In addition to the film being a learning/politicizing tool, our attendance also will demonstrate black economic power.
SPREAD THE WORD.
Justice Department To Review George Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin Case
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department says it is looking into the shooting death of Trayvon Martin to determine whether federal prosecutors should file criminal civil rights charges now that George Zimmerman has been acquitted in the state case.
The department opened an investigation into Martin's death last year but stepped aside to allow the state prosecution to proceed.
In a statement Sunday, the Justice Department said the criminal section of the civil rights division, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's office for the Middle District of Florida are continuing to evaluate the evidence generated during the federal probe, in addition to the evidence and testimony from the state trial.
The statement said that, in the government's words, "experienced federal prosecutors will determine whether the evidence reveals a prosecutable violation."
For your convenience, here are the rallies going on
all over our country today in response to Zimmerman's aquittal.
George Zimmerman ignored the police dispatcher's instruction to leave Trayvon alone. This was a violation of the basic rules for Neighborhood Watch. He then tracked down a 17 year-old kid because he was black and vulnerable. Trayvon was unarmed and walking home with his Skittles and Ice tea. George accosted the young man and after an ostensible scuffle, pulled a gun on him. Instead of displaying his weapon and ending the altercation, George shot the young man. Why wait for the police who were on the way? He figured he could get away with it.
Local actions, events, rallies, etc.
