Part One: Backstory
This post was supposed to lay out action plans related to establishing voter registration drives and other @MattapanAction #Election2012 activities. It was supposed to have been published a couple of weeks ago now.
Issues far more urgent have consumed this working group, however; for the past ten days at least: seeking #Justice4Trayvon Martin (may he rest in peace #RIP); and more importantly, perhaps, justice for his parents--Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin.
Issues far more urgent have consumed this working group, however; for the past ten days at least: seeking #Justice4Trayvon Martin (may he rest in peace #RIP); and more importantly, perhaps, justice for his parents--Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin.
It wasn't only that Trayvon Benjamin Martin--a baby-faced, 17 year old--was shot dead for no apparent reason. Oh, that's right, "he look[ed] Black...," according to the 911 call George Zimmerman made that night.
It's that the Sanford Police handled the investigation into Trayvon's death, and his body, as if he was the 'perp' rather than a murder victim. Sandford Police approached their investigation of Trayvon with unusual diligence: they swabbed his hands, looking for gun shot residue; they conducted a background check on him; even drug-tested his body. Curiously, it seems George Zimmerman didn't have to undergo any of these indignities, even with a 9mm gun in his hand.
It's also that this initial mistreatment of Trayvon Martin has been, and continues to be, extended to his parents as well. No time to grieve for their son, really. Too busy seeking #Justice4Trayvon--at minimum, the arrest of his killer. Too busy having to defend Trayvon from would-be character assassins who clearly have no shame.
Of course the urgency of all this has been compounded by one simple fact: George Zimmerman--the 28 year old who first stalked, then chased, and ultimately shot Trayvon Martin, has yet to be arrested for this crime. Even now--more than a month after the fact, George Michael Zimmerman remains free of all charges; despite probable cause to arrest. None of this made sense; and the more the State of Florida ignored their pleas for answers, the more Trayvon Martin's parents grew stalwart.
Initially the Sanford Police Department claimed it was powerless to effect an arrest: Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, they said, gave Trayvon's killer a 'pass. Initial reports claimed Zimmerman felt threatened; and on this basis, had a right to defend himself under the law.
Yet we know--from the 911 call George Zimmerman made to the Sanford Police--that he (mis)characterized Trayvon Martin as "a real suspicious guy" for nothing more than "just walking around, and looking about...;" that Zimmerman can be heard chasing Trayvon; and that the dispatcher told him, "we don't need you to do that." What part of "no" didn't Zimmerman understand?
We also know that Trayvon wasn't the only person George Zimmerman terrorized that night. Several 911 calls to the Sanford Police that night attests to the anguish Zimmerman's actions brought to everyone within earshot. See the trauma this event brought to a 13 year old nearby.
We know Trayvon Martin cannot 'speak' from the grave. So we must rise, to speak in his stead.
Yet we know--from the 911 call George Zimmerman made to the Sanford Police--that he (mis)characterized Trayvon Martin as "a real suspicious guy" for nothing more than "just walking around, and looking about...;" that Zimmerman can be heard chasing Trayvon; and that the dispatcher told him, "we don't need you to do that." What part of "no" didn't Zimmerman understand?
We also know that Trayvon wasn't the only person George Zimmerman terrorized that night. Several 911 calls to the Sanford Police that night attests to the anguish Zimmerman's actions brought to everyone within earshot. See the trauma this event brought to a 13 year old nearby.
We know Trayvon Martin cannot 'speak' from the grave. So we must rise, to speak in his stead.
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