In an interview with USA Today, the parents of Trayvon Martin reminisce on their son’s life nearly five years following his death, and share how they both are considering political office.
“Now I feel like I’m just obligated to be part of the change,” Trayvon’s mother Sybrina Fulton said.
The Fultons, who divorced nearly two decades ago, both state that their political aspirations are necessary for the nation right now. They say their run would start on the local level, but “could go all the way to the White House.”
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“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,” Trayvon’s father Tracy Martin said.
The parents co-authored a book titled Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin, released on Tuesday, Jan. 31, and includes vivid details about their son’s life, death and the national discussion it stirred.
The 2012 death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was killed by George Zimmerman in a Sanford, Florida neighborhood, became a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement. Former neighborhood watch volunteer Zimmerman was acquitted for killing the unarmed teen and much attention was drawn to relations between law enforcement and minorities.
Following his death, former President Barack Obama gave his condolences, stating, “The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy… my main message is to the parents of Trayvon Martin. You know, if I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon.”
However, with a new administration that posted on the White House website, “The dangerous anti-police atmosphere in America is wrong. The Trump administration will end it,” the road to justice may be long.
“I think from the statements being made, we won’t progress; we’ll be going backwards,” Ms. Fulton said.
Trayvon Martin would have celebrated his 22nd birthday on Sunday, Feb. 5.
