Students Encourage Justice at the Capitol

Georgia’s State capitol overflowed with thousands of people gathered to acknowledge the lost of 17 year old, Trayvon Martin, on Monday evening.

The Florida resident was shot dead by George Zimmerman after he identified him as a suspicious person walking through his Sandford, CA neighborhood. Trayvon was only carrying a bag of Skittles and a can of Arizona Ice tea, that he recently purchased from a neighborhood convenience store, when gunned by Zimmerman.

College students, community leaders, activists, and other participants rallied to demand action from lawmakers and voice their concerns.  Some people were focused on the repeal of the “Stand Your Ground” Law, while others attended to fight for justice for Martin.

Spelman College’s Student Government Association President, Taylor Allen said, “Petitions demanding justice for Martin have erupted, allegations of racism call for more scrutiny into how local police handled the investigation. But the real issue that we are faced with is focusing our attention on the preventative measures that can directly influence the way people think and act so that Trayvon’s death is not in vain.”

Thousands that attended the rally brought more than just their spirit of change with them to the capitol. Many participants carried a can of Arizona Ice Tea, a pack of Skittles, or properly wore hoodies to show how they were indeed just like Trayvon Martin.

Above: Radio personality, Ryam Cameron,
speaking at Trayvon Martin Rally. 

A constant phrase used by many of the speakers was “I AM TRAYVON MARTIN.”  V103’s afternoon drive host, Ryan Cameron wore a grey hoodie to symbolize this as he spoke at the rally. “We are all Trayvon Martin,” he said, “We should never feel as if what we wear dictates who we are. I wear my hoodie because I never thought I would see the day were wearing a hoodie profiled me as a threat to someone else. My hoodie is for the fight for justice.”

Students from Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Morris Brown, Georgia Tech and other schools around the city demonstrated the impact that students can have on any movement. Graduate MBA student at Clark Atlanta University, Tamiya Jackson felt as if the “I AM TRAYVON” rally showed the passion the current generation has to wrestle cases such as this one. Jackson said, “I felt the rally gave the people a chance to voice their opinions. This generation is known to be apathetic- myopic- only caring about our own world. Lazy even, not like 'they use to be'. However, this student led rally with thousands of student supporters showed that if given a chance we will show you what we care about. I believe that this case opened a lot of young people's eyes and lit a spark within many communities.”

The students of the Atlanta University Center have planned to bind together and build a network of student activists that are willing to continue the fight for justice not only for Trayvon but for anyone.