Harlem Students Take to Streets to Show Support for Trayvon Martin

We are all Trayvon Martin.

That was the message from a group of Harlem high school students from Democracy Prep High School. They organized an event to demand justice for the slain Florida teen and his family. 

A group of around 100 students in grades 9 through 11 wore hooded sweatshirts over their school uniforms, linked arms and silently marched through central Harlem.  The line of students wound their way down 135th St. to the Harlem YMCA carrying signs that said, "I am Trayvon Martin," as passers by stopped to voice their support and words of approval.

Sophomore Anthony Wright was on of the organizers of the march. “I feel like if nobody stands up for justice, his family will never get justice. It'll just be a case of another black kid dying, the way people think how it's supposed to be,” he said.

The students at the all Black and Latino high school organized the event to raise money and awareness for the Justice for Trayvon Martin Foundation, and to protest Florida's "stand your ground" law.

"I feel like there is a connection, that could have been one of us," freshman Victoria Rodriguez said. "A lot of teenagers wear hoodies, buy Arizonas and candy, and since we understand that we could have been in his shoes, it's the proper way to put a stop to something that shouldn't just be swept under the rug."

The hoodie has become a symbol for Martin. View the slideshow to see what the hoodie represents to the students who marched.

9th grader Mekhia Whitfield: We put on our hoods to say that he is Trayvon, I am Trayvon, she is Trayvon, we all are Trayvon Martin.
9th grader Mekhia Whitfield: We put on our hoods to say that he is Trayvon, I am Trayvon, she is Trayvon, we all are Trayvon Martin. (Jessie Wright-Mendoza for WNYC)
9th grader Victoria Rodriguez: We’re wearing hoodies to show that it’s just something that you wear, it doesn’t determine what type of person you are.
9th grader Victoria Rodriguez: We’re wearing hoodies to show that it’s just something that you wear, it doesn’t determine what type of person you are. (Jessie Wright-Mendoza for WNYC)
Shanell Acosta: The hoodie to me symbolizes a revolution, a change in society. Us working together to make sure this never happens again.
Shanell Acosta: The hoodie to me symbolizes a revolution, a change in society. Us working together to make sure this never happens again. (Jessie Wright-Mendoza)

10th grader Anthony Wright: The hoodie symbolizes Trayvon Martin, cause no Black or Latino kid who is 17 and has a future ahead of him deserves to die. If nobody stands up for him, it’ll just be another case of a black kid dying.

(Jessie Wright-Mendoza for WNYC)
9th grader Bakary Diallo: Wearing the hoodie represents justice for the Martin family. I believe that everybody deserves justice.
9th grader Bakary Diallo: Wearing the hoodie represents justice for the Martin family. I believe that everybody deserves justice. (Jessie Wright-Mendoza for WNYC)
10th grader Rachelle Egipeiaco: To me, the hoodie symbolizes respect and justice. Young people marching and wearing hoodies shows adults how important this issue is.
10th grader Rachelle Egipeiaco: To me, the hoodie symbolizes respect and justice. Young people marching and wearing hoodies shows adults how important this issue is. (Jessie Wright-Mendoza for WNYC)
10th grader Anita Altam: My hoodie symbolizes Trayvon and the pain he went through. We’re here to support him and be his voice.
10th grader Anita Altam: My hoodie symbolizes Trayvon and the pain he went through. We’re here to support him and be his voice. (Jessie Wright-Mendoza for WNYC)

Mona Barry: Wearing a hoodie symbolizes that wearing a hoodie doesn’t make you a suspect. They’re not doing anything bad or harmful, but a lot of people suspect kids in hoodies. That’s the stereotype.

 

(Jessie Wright-Mendoza)
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