Georgetown BLSA Demands

Justice for Trayvon Martin

A CALL TO ACTION

On February 26, 2012, a national call to action was set in motion. While in Orlando, Florida, a young boy was walking home after visiting a local convenience store. The events that followed serve as a horrific reminder of the ongoing impact of racial profiling and discrimination in this country. A neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman, called the police to express his “concerns” about this 17-year-old Black teenage boy, later identified as Trayvon Martin, whom he described as "look[ing] like he's up to no good or. . . on drugs or something."

As substantiated by the 911 calls, the emergency respondent explicitly told Zimmerman not to follow Martin. However, Zimmerman ignored these instructions. Instead he initiated contact with Martin after mentioning that “they always get away.” Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon. Zimmerman has raised the theory of self-defense, despite the fact that he outweighed Martin by over 100 pounds, and Martin was only “armed” with a pack of skittles and a beverage. Martin’s family and girlfriend rebut Zimmerman’s self-defense claim, stating that the 911 tapes prove otherwise.

According to several sources, The Department of Justice and FBI have begun an investigation into the case of Trayvon Martin’s murder. Additionally, a state grand jury will investigate the incident. This case is devastating, but the situation becomes more exacerbated when one considers that Trayvon’s shooter has yet to be arrested or even thoroughly questioned.

Nearly a month has passed since Trayvon was gunned down on his walk home from a convenience store. Justice is still being denied to Trayvon and his family. We, as the members of the Black Law Students Association, MUST take action. There is no better time than the present to discuss issues of racism and the shortfalls of the criminal justice system. If the fight is truly for justice, voicing our opinions to officials who can implement this change is imperative. Several chapters have already spoken out against the injustices. Georgetown will be next. Here at Georgetown, we are empowered to advocate on behalf of Trayvon Martin and his family in the nation’s capital.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Join the movement. Sign the petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/prosecute-the-killer-of-our-son-17-year-old-trayvon-martin .

WE are Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

WE are Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

I am Trayvon

WE are Trayvon

Justice for Trayvon

We have a duty to protect one another