Trayvon Martin Rally Union Square
Trayvon Martin Rally Union Square
March 21st. Union Square, New York City.
1,000,000 Hoodie March for Trayvon Martin. 17 yrs old. Shot to death February 26 in Florida. Found to be in possession of Skittles and Iced Tea.
He looked suspicious – he was wearing a hoodie.
The parents of Trayvon Martin, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton.
We ARE Trayvon
We all are One
One little hoodie, one in a million.
George Zimmerman, shooter and neighbourhood watch captain, 28 years old, remains free.
Recommended Reading:
Charles M. Blow – The Curious Case of Trayvon Martin
Village Voice -Steven Thrasher
Gail Collins – Pity the Poor Gun Lobby
Huffington Post – Trayvon Martin 911 Tape
msnbc.com – Trayvon’s Final Call
Wow! Powerful, powerful images. What a travesty.
Definitely a travesty Andy and here’s hoping justice prevails far sooner than later.
A tragedy – no one should feel unsafe because of ethnicity or clothing.
We need to make some changes. Where has respect for human life gone????
Tragedy and heartbreak indeed Isadora. That gun laws and the “Stand Your Ground Law” are changed, and that life and love become more colour blind might go some way. Or is this too much to hope for???
It is heartbreaking that this young man lost his life so trivially. My deepest condolences go out to his parents. I can’t even begin to imagine their grief at losing their son. George Zimmerman needs to be accountable for his actions. It’s just too bad that Trayvon paid the ultimate price for George’s ‘mistake’ and cannot have his life back, whether Geroge is punished or not.
Marcy, the depth of condolence at yesterday’s rally was overwhelming. His parents’ grief silenced and truly touched everyone. Surely it will not be long before george Zimmerman is called to account for his actions in a more judicial manner than that of a simple police incident report.
Great photo journalism – shame about the context. Neighborhood watches should be about calling in crimes to the Police and letting them deal with it professionally, not vigilantes acting off their own bat 😦
Martin, the details of this case are such a mess and I have added extra links detailing the calls to 911. Latest reports have it that Sanford police chief Bill Lee has stepped down.
Florida has a “Stand Your Ground Law” which is all a gun toting vigilante needs in claiming self-defense beyond the home. . . .
That’s frightening… surely it should be your equivalent of the head of the Crown Prosecution Service stepping down, or does that fall under the Chief of Police’ remit? That “Stand Your Ground Law” sounds like a license to shoot anyone you dislike – how can that be? That’s a license to kill that goes way beyond James Bond 😦
Martin, the Stand Your Ground was signed into law by . . . Gov Jeb Bush, 2005, since when the crime rate there has tripled! Your supposition that it is a license to kill is not far off the mark in that it could hinder the prosecution of George Zimmerman and justice for Trayvon Martin and other victims of fear and prejudice.
Martin, here is a link from The Nation confirming your suspicion about Stand your Ground being a Licence to Kill – http://www.thenation.com/blog/166978/how-alec-took-floridas-license-kill-law-national
this is such a tragedy, it was even on the news here in Canada. It is too bad guns are so readily available and used in a so called sophisticated modern society such as ours..
Maggie, I know I am not alone in failing to understand why anyone anywhere wants or needs a gun, a knife or a switchblade . . .
I am making noise about this here on the Colorado prairie,but no one seems to care. This is an autrocity! Thanks for getting something done in NY!! I think there will be eventual justice, but it is a poor subsitute for such a tragic loss.
Anna, lovely to hear you all the way from the Colorado prairie and please keep up the noise! I hear that 30,000 (?) have gathered in Sanford, Florida to rally for justice but, as you say, a poor substitute for a tragic loss. Care spreads!
too much tolerance for rude police actions! bad role of law system!
Frizz, this link from yesterday’s NYT’s rather says it all!
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/01/08/opinion/sunday/the-strip.html#1
A really admire your ability to capture an atmosphere through your lens, Ms. K…
much easier said than done…
even as a ‘distant viewer’ I really get the feeling of what it must have felt like to ‘be’ there…
very powerful…
🙂
Again SiG, thank you for your company! Emotions down there were high but calm . . .
Great activities Patti and you deliver the stunning photo of the event completely 🙂
Jake, thank you and good to have you along!
You’ve really captured history. Great shots! I’m following you now too 🙂
James, thank you so much for your comment and for the follow, I really do appreciate it!
Its a pleasure your photos are brilliant seriously, they put me in the shade!
Stories about the shooting of innocent people are always heart-wrenching. 😦 Your photographs do the Rally justice.
As crowded as it was, it was such an incredible moment of quiet heartbreak when Trayvon’s parents arrived . . . thank you Wildnightin.
This story continues to break my heart so much. I grew up in Orlando and my dad even worked as a photographer for the local Sanford newspaper back in the late ’70s/early ’80s. It all makes it even more personal. It’s ridiculous that Zimmerman has yet to even spend one hour in jail for this senseless crime. The horrible handling of this situation by the police and powers that be makes it even worse. The whole thing makes me sick. I’m glad you and others were there to show support for the family. Thanks for sharing it all with us and let’s hope there’s some justice eventually.
Such an event really does it bring it home for you Alison. The details of the case are such a horrifying collection of mishandling – a drug and alcohol test was performed on Trayvon, (officially listed then as John Doe), nothing of the sort apparently on Zimmerman.
Each generation seeks in it’s own way to make the world a better place but still the injustices pile up through the years and we all share your hope that there will be some justice for the Martin family soon.
Your journalism becomes more and more brilliant, more and more powerful.
Judith, thank you so much for your ver generous comment! Overwhelmed!
I pray for justice for this young man who’s dream and life was taken away in the most senseless, violent way. I pray for his family that they will have the strength and the means to overcome the pain, the loss , the grief. I wish I’m there, cause I will walk with the millions as well.
It all reminds me of the Stephen Lawrence case in London which took 19 years to secure a conviction. Of course it goes without saying that George Zimmerman is innocent until proven guilty but with the Stand your Ground Law behind him it does appear, at this stage, that the case might never go to trial. None of which returns Trayvon to his parents . . .
All best to you and your family IT in the walk with millions!
Hi Patti. You have done it again – got as close to the action as anyone would dare. The pics say it all.
It is sometimes difficult to know which view is the better, the long view or close-up but then situation and circumstance often remove that choice and we make the best of where we are. Hope this makes some sense and thank you so much for your comment!