Trayvon Martin‘s parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, reveal ambitions to run for political offices.
After seeing first hand how local politics can affect how much one person’s life matters, or not, Martin and Fulton are seriously considering running for office in the communities.
In an interview with USA Today’s Capital Download, the two of them spoke on the progress they have seen when it comes to racial justice in America since their son’s death. But they also voiced concerns about how all of that can be washed away under a Donald Trump presidency.
“Since Trayvon’s death, we saw how divided the country is on these issues and we saw how the country can come together,” Martin said. “You have those that are for uniting the country and you have those that want to be apart. And what this new presidency does, it takes those that want to be apart and it puts them right in the position where they can say, ‘We’ll change the laws, and we’ll make it tougher.’”
“Before I was just comfortable with my average life, but now I feel like I’m just obligated to be part of the change,” Fulton added. “The only way we can be part of the change is if we start with local government and we work our way up.”
Their potential decision comes five years after Martin, their unarmed, teenaged son, was gunned down by George Zimmerman. Zimmerman, who did not know Martin, saw him walking through his neighborhood and assumed that he was a criminal. Martin was in the neighborhood visiting his father. Zimmerman, who was told by cops to stay in his car and not confront Martin, was acquitted of all charges thanks to Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” laws that allow people to kill and claim self-defense if they feel that their life is in danger.
In the years since the tragedy, Trayvon’s parents have become highly visible figures in the in fight for racial justice in America and the Black Lives Matter movement. Fulton also made numerous appearances on Hillary Clinton’s campaign trail including on at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
The parents also released a book today about the life of their son. They say the book, Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin, will show who Trayvon really was in their eyes, not the media’s portrayal of him. It is available here.
Photo: AP
