Tuesday, Feb. 26, is the seven-year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s tragic shooting. Kamala Harris and other prominent figures discussed how his untimely death sparked the Black Lives Matter Movement and spurred a nationwide debate on the consequences of racial profiling.
Martin, 17, was unarmed and walking home from the store when he was shot and killed Feb. 26, 2012, by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood community watch member in Stanford, Florida.
Zimmerman called the authorities and described the teen who was wearing a hoodie and carrying a can of Arizona and a bag of skittles as “suspicious.” He proceeded to follow Martin although a dispatcher told him, “Sir, we don’t need you to do that.”
Moments later, the sound of gunshots erupted through the neighborhood and Zimmerman, who said he suffered injuries to his head and nose, said he shot the teen in self-defense, according to CNN,.
One year later, Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder because of the state’s “stand your ground” law.
Martin, who would have turned 24 on Feb. 5, had dreams of attending the University of Miami or Florida A&M before pursuing working in the aviation field.
On Tuesday, presidential candidate Kamala Harris commented on the young man’s death.
It’s been seven years since we unjustly lost Trayvon Martin. His tragic death was not just a moment in history — it sparked a movement and his legacy continues to live through our fight for justice. We must be better than this.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 26, 2019
“It’s been seven years since we unjustly lost Trayvon Martin,” Harris tweeted. “His tragic death was not just a moment in history — it sparked a movement and his legacy continues to live through our fight for justice. We must be better than this.”
Look at who else commemorated Martin below.
Today marks 7 years since Trayvon Martin was murdered for being Black and male in 🇺🇸.
— L E F T (@LeftSentThis) February 26, 2019
Being a Black male in 🇺🇸 means that you’re marked as monstrous, as pathologically dangerous and legally lynchible.
This is a fight, that we fight everyday, in every era of 🇺🇸. pic.twitter.com/X13xYN5yBA
17 year old Trayvon Martin was murdered 7 years ago today.
— Kristen Clarke (@KristenClarkeJD) February 26, 2019
We honor Trayvon today by calling out racism, the rise in vigilante violence, and the proliferation of guns.#SayHisName #TrayvonMartin pic.twitter.com/s2bZszuLSP
As we remember his life on the 7th anniversary of his death, we commit to continuing to fight for children like #TrayvonMartin to be treated as the teenagers they are, regardless of their race, with the unfettered hopes & dreams to which all Americans are entitled. #RestInPower pic.twitter.com/AcXMAheKMH
— Legal Defense Fund (@NAACP_LDF) February 26, 2019
We won’t let’m forget young #TrayvonMartin 🕊 pic.twitter.com/pHwSf8jyTC
— Yung Rénzél 👑 (@RickRoss) February 26, 2019
Seven years ago today, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed while walking home from a Florida convenience store. His killer was exonerated by the state's "stand-your-ground" law, which promotes a "shoot first, ask questions later" mentality. pic.twitter.com/qujV2TKNIS
— Moms Demand Action (@MomsDemand) February 26, 2019
#TrayvonMartin was killed #OTD seven years ago.
— The Leadership Conference (@civilrightsorg) February 26, 2019
All of us owe it to Trayvon to keep fighting for justice – every single day. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/ZZv8GEKT19
Trayvon Martin had dreams of being a pilot or working as a mechanic in aviation, but he was shot to death seven years ago today while walking home: 17 years old, unarmed and Black.
— Everytown (@Everytown) February 26, 2019
Let's commit ourselves to honoring Trayvon's life with action. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/EBUOE6C81w
On #ThisDayinHistory 2012, an African-American teen walking home from a trip to a convenience store, is fatally shot in Sanford, Florida sparking nationwide protests and igniting a national debate about racial profiling and self-defense laws. Trayvon Martin would be 24 this year. pic.twitter.com/ufXOcpFgED
— HISTORY (@HISTORY) February 26, 2019
7 years, today.
— Jidenna (@Jidenna) February 26, 2019
Rest in power. #TrayvonMartin
Rest in power young brother #TrayvonMartin, who was shot and killed 7 years ago today pic.twitter.com/dHummtjZj6
— Khary Penebaker, Fx (@kharyp) February 26, 2019
Today, we are reminded of the tragic and unjust death of Trayvon Martin. I am saddened that Trayvon's dream of having a career in aviation will never be realized because his life was cut short. We will never forget Trayvon and we will never stop fighting for justice. https://t.co/JKyyXeooOR
— Bobby L. Rush (@RepBobbyRush) February 26, 2019
My heart will always ache for Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Mike Brown & far too many others. Their deaths ignited a fire in so many young people — myself included — & launched a modern Black liberation movement this country hasn't seen in decades.
— CiCi Adams🌸 (@CiCiAdams_) February 26, 2019
Their lives will always matter. pic.twitter.com/05o9lrwjIR
Remembering #TrayvonMartin seven years after his death. 💙 Take a look at how Trayvon’s parents honored his life at the 2018 #TrailblazerHonors ceremony. pic.twitter.com/FfQkBhgTWo
— VH1 (@VH1) February 26, 2019
