Trayvon Martin and the Death that Sparked a Movement

Who was Trayvon Martin?

Trayvon Benjamin Martin was an unarmed 17-year-old African American teenager who was fatally shot on February 26, 2012, by George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old Hispanic man. Martin was walking home from a convenience store when Zimmerman confronted him. The two got into an altercation, and Zimmerman shot Martin in the chest. Martin died at the scene.

The Aftermath of Trayvon Martin's Death

Trayvon Martin's death sparked a national outcry and reignited the debate over race and gun violence in the United States. The case became a flashpoint for discussions about racial profiling, self-defense laws, and the role of law enforcement in communities of color.

Zimmerman's Acquittal and the Black Lives Matter Movement

Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges in Martin's death in 2013. The acquittal sparked widespread outrage and led to the formation of the Black Lives Matter movement, which advocates for an end to police brutality and racial injustice against African Americans.

Legacy of Trayvon Martin

Trayvon Martin's death has had a lasting impact on American society. His name has become synonymous with the fight for racial justice and the need to address gun violence in the United States.