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Tennessee students demand: “Justice for Trayvon Martin”

By Preston Gilmore

Speaker at rally demands "Justice for Trayvon Martin”

Clarksville, TN – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and other students at Austin Peay State University rallied at 4:00 p.m., on UC Plaza, Feb. 26 to demand justice for Trayvon Martin. This was one of a number of actions organized by SDS chapters around the country exactly one year to the day since Trayvon Martin’s murder. Martin’s killer has not been convicted.

Speakers at the rally demanded that the man who racially profiled, stalked, and murdered 17-year-old Trayvon Martin one year ago, George Zimmerman, be convicted of murder and called for an immediate repeal of “Stand Your Ground” laws. SDS members held a banner and signs that read, “Justice for Trayvon Martin”.

Several students passing by the rally on the way to class who were familiar with the issue threw their fists in the air in a show of solidarity. Others who were unfamiliar with what happened stopped to ask questions and learn more.

An SDS speaker at the rally said, “We are trying to make our voices heard and show that we won’t stand for the racist attacks and the murder of black youth. We want to raise awareness about this case and remember Trayvon Martin, but we also want to remember and demand justice for the thousands of other Black and brown people whose names we don’t know who have been attacked or killed at the hands of police and racist vigilantes like George Zimmerman.”

Some of the participants in the Feb. 26 protest

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