March 23, 2012

Trayvon Martin's parents mourn on the shooting death of their child.

This week, the case of Trayvon Martin has sparked a critical national conversation about ongoing challenges around race, fear and fairness in the criminal justice system.

On Feb. 26, Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old black teenager from Florida, was fatally shot while walking home from the convenience store by George Zimmerman, a self-appointed neighborhood watch captain.

Zimmerman said he approached and began following the teenager because he looked “real suspicious.” To date, Zimmerman has not been charged or arrested for the crime. Initial reports and 911 tapes indicate the following: a brief scuffle, a racial slur made by Zimmerman, a shout for help from Martin, and a shot fired.

After one month of silence by local authorities, federal and state investigators have intervened and launched their own investigation. The grand jury is convening soon to examine the case.

This tragedy brings up many questions including “Why did it take law enforcement so long to conduct a thorough investigation?”

“This tragic and senseless death simply should not have happened,” said Salam Al-Marayati, MPAC President. “Now is the time for us to re-examine our color divide. No person should feel unsafe to walk in his or her neighborhood as a result of skin color or for any other reason.”

President Barack Obama is right. This is a time for us “to do some soul searching to figure out how does something like this happen.”

It has been more than 60 years since America grappled with segregation and the civil rights movement. In 1955, Emmett Till, a 14-year-old black boy, was killed by two community members for allegedly flirting with a white woman. What this did to our nation was awaken the notion that racism needed to be confronted. Sadly, the struggle for equality in our society and before the law is unfinished.

The Muslim Public Affairs Council urges all communities to unite and demand justice in this case and work toward making justice a reality for all Americans.