Trayvon Martin was 17 when he was shot and killed in 2012 while walking home alone from a convenience store in Florida. 11 years after his death, tributes continue to pour in to keep his memory alive.
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Florida teenager Trayvon Martin was shot and killed while walking home from a Sanford, Fla convenience store on Feb. 26, 2012. Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, a member of the neighborhood’s community watch.
Zimmerman fatally shot Martin after an altercation between the two. Martin was unarmed and wearing a hoodie while holding a bag of Skittles and an Arizona tea.
The trial would happen a year later, and Zimmerman would be found not guilty due to Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground Law,” which states a person can use deadly force for self-defense. Many protests, walk-outs, and marches occurred after Zimmerman was found not guilty of killing Martin and even a topic during the 2012 presidential election.
Since his death, Martin’s parents have started the Trayvon Martin Foundation, which is dedicated to helping families that have lost children to gun violence.
Martin has been honored in many ways including rap legend Jay-Z creating a documentary about him. In 2020, Miami named a street after Martin. In addition, Tennis star Naomi Osaka wore a mask with Trayon’s name while competing in the US Open.
Martin has also been a frequent trending topic on social media over the years. In 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse was called a “little boy” while on trial after murdering two protestors in Kenosha, Wisconsin. During the trial for Martin’s murder, he was referred to as an “adult.”
Like Martin, many instances have occurred where Black people in America have been shot and killed with no justice.
Alton Sterling, Mike Bown, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, and many others occurred after Martin’s death.
During the holiday season, the wife of the late Sean Bell kept his spirit alive by helping others in New York City with an annual turkey giveaway for Thanksgiving.
Sean Bell was fatally shot 50 times by New York Police on Nov. 25, 2006—a day before his wedding.
