KEVIN POWELL RALLY FOR TRAYVON MARTIN

By Doshon Farad
New York, N.Y.-Last night, Sunday, March 25th,in Brooklyn, at the historic House of the Lord Church, writer and activist Kevin Powell hosted a very powerful rally in honor of slain teen Trayvon Martin, a 17 year old young black man who was shot and killed on February 26th in Sanford, Florida, by George Zimmerman, a 28 year old part white and Latino neighborhood watch captain.

Organizers and participants of the rally were calling for Zimmerman’s immediate arrest and prosecution. The event, which was co-sponsored by MoveOn.org and ColorofChange.org consisted of a wide spectrum of attendees that included Trayvon Martin supporters, poets, activists, performers, and politicians. Each one expressed outrage for what they felt was a severe injustice and constant brutality towards black and Latino men across America.

During the nearly three hour event one could hear two main themes being continuously shouted through out the evening by speakers and the audience: JUSTICE FOR TRAYVON MARTIN and ARREST GEORGE ZIMMERMAN. People holding signs containing the same slogans adorned the pews and aisles of the church which was filled to capacity. It was quite obvious that the program’s atmosphere was highly charged and emotional.

You would think that a musical performance by Pittsburgh based revolutionary Hip-Hop performer Jasiri X would have lightened the mood of the crowd. Instead his song, ” Trayvon”, did nothing less than further energize the event.
Organizers were sure to remind participants of that fateful night in February when young Trayvon was killed. They also used the program as an opportunity to bring attention to the ongoing epidemic of brutality towards black and brown men by law enforcement officers.

Powell said during his remarks that he felt such hostility is often incited by law enforcement departments and the media. “We need to start fighting against the climate in America that encourages this kind of vigilante violence”, he said. He also mentioned how he felt that other violent incidents towards non-whites and women around the country were not isolated and how he believed there was a right wing plan to take America “back to Emmitt Till in 1955″.

Powell also made it very clear how he was tired of people using black on black and brown on brown crime as an excuse to ignore the brutality being committed by others outside of their community. He expressed his love for black and Latino men by asserting, “I know your life is valuable. Don’t let anyone twist the argument around. Black and Latino violence against each other does not justify us being killed”.

Also in attendance was Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia “Tisha” James. Ms. James, who has worked on several cases involving the NYPD and police brutality, scolded law enforcement departments who continue to rationalize the notion that black men are suspicious. “Why does the image of a black man in a hoodie continue to be vilified?” the councilwoman asked.
She also responded to accusations of black men being illegally stopped by police. “We’ve got to change the laws on stopping and frisking”. James ended by urging the audience not to depend on politicians to end police brutality. “Power is in your hands; not in the hands of elected officials”.

Powell said, at the end of the rally, that more events were being planned to address police brutality. Although George Zimmerman was not a law enforcement officer many, during the rally, felt that he was still acting in that capacity when he killed young Trayvon.

Zimmerman told police in a 911 call, on the rainy night, that he saw and began following a black man wearing a “hoodie” sweater who looked “suspicious”, walking through the gated Florida community that he patrolled. This “suspicious” looking black man was Trayvon who was there visiting his father. Police instructed Zimmerman not to follow him and to wait until they arrived. He apparently disobeyed their instructions and got out of his car to pursue him. According to police, Zimmerman told them a struggle ensued with him and the teenager as a result of the young man attacking him. Zimmerman then reached for his gun and shot Trayvon in the chest leaving him dead.

George Zimmerman claimed that he was adhering to Florida’s controversial “Stand your ground” law that says that a person may take the life of another if they feel their life is in danger.

He has still not been charged or arrested.