Hundreds of people donned black hoodies at the Civic Space Park near the Downtown campus Sunday evening at a march honoring Trayvon Martin, a Florida teenager whose death has sparked nationwide controversy.
George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain, allegedly shot the unarmed 17-year-old in self-defense, but has not been arrested by police.
The handling of Martin's death has caused the nation to question the legitimacy of the shooter's self-defense claim as well as the integrity of the authorities involved. Multiple petitions have called for Zimmerman’s arrest.
Event organizer and Scottsdale resident Jenni Troy began promoting the Arizona Hoodie March through Facebook.
She said she was devastated and angry when she first heard Martin's story.
“I'm a mom and I could not imagine being in the position his parents are in,” Troy said. “I don't want this to be my children's future either. I want to try and make a change.”
She said she hoped the event would turn the hearts and minds of those who attended against racism and crime.
“We need to take a stand against what happened and be supportive of the family and fight for justice for Trayvon,” Troy said. “The whole country needs to come together as one and fight this battle with (the Martin family) and show our support.”
Maricopa County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People President Oscar Tillman said he was happy to see the diversity of those who attended the march.
“This is not about black, white, red, green or yellow,” Tillman said. “This is about a young man wearing a hoodie.”
He said the hoodies the crowd wore were not just meant to represent Trayvon's apparel at his death, but to make a statement regarding law enforcement's position in the controversy.
“I'm disappointed that I have not seen the authorities step in and make an arrest,” Tillman said. “We will do anything possible to let the justice system know to do its job."
Business administration junior Shauniece High said the death of Martin could have been easily avoided and justice should be spread not just nationwide, but worldwide.
“It's an awful situation,” High said. “It brings the black community down and it should have never happened in the first place.”
General studies sophomore Shaton Williams said Martin's death was not an issue of race.
“I wouldn't even say it's a hate crime,” Williams said. “It's just a crime, period.”
She said she believes the support shown for Martin across the nation has impacted his family immensely.
Williams said she hoped Martin's case would be pursued and justice would be served.
“I believe (the Martin family is) so happy and so proud that somebody is trying to seek justice for their family,” Williams said.
Reach the reporter at dgrobmei@asu.edu
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