Students, faculty, staff and members of the Durham community gathered on the steps in front of Duke Chapel to hold a vigil in memory of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old black male who was shot and killed Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla. The shooter, George Zimmermann, claimed to have seen Martin engaging in suspicious activity and said he shot Martin in self-defense. The event brought up allegations of racism, sparking outrage, protest and dialogue across the country about the role race plays in the American legal system. The vigil was planned by freshmen Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie and Ba’Carri Johnson and featured Mark Neal, professor of African and African American studies, as the keynote speaker. The Chronicle’s Kelly Scurry spoke with attendees at the vigil to hear their thoughts and remembrances of Martin.
“I hope that this makes a strong statement. His mom and family just want justice so that [Martin] may rest in peace.”
—freshman Ba’Carri Johnson, who knew Martin in high school
“We are grateful that so many people are fighting to ensure that [Martin didn’t] die in vain.”
—freshman Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie
“I hate that it had to take a death to mobilize us.... This wasn’t an isolated incident, and this is an issue that affects all marginalized peoples. Hate is hate.”
—junior Jasmine Johnson
“We hope that this vigil shows that people care about this issue and that this still happens around the community and the world.”
—sophomore Ashley Long
“Our hearts go out to the family of Travyon Martin and we hope this vigil doesn’t end awareness of this issue and that justice is done.”
—sophomore Ciera Price
“I hope that this vigil is a testament to all who knew and loved Travyon Martin. It is to all who have felt threatened because of their identity.”
—freshman Stephanie Ogwo
“It was great to see a group of people from various ethnicities and backgrounds speak [about this issue]. We had another speaker about discrimination against Muslims and Mark Anthony Neal mentioned injustice against the [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] community.”
—junior Mea Warren
“It is always really good when people get together for a common cause, but this hasn’t been the first event, and it probably won’t be the last. It is up to us to ensure that justice is served for Trayvon Martin.”
—junior Erica Pinson
“It was great that so many people gathered in memory of [Martin] and I just hope we would have gathered [if it had happened to someone] else.”
—freshman Broderick Turner
“I hope that this just won’t be another senseless killing of someone. [The vigil] brought to light that injustice still happens and affects everyone.”
—freshman Crystal Chukwurah
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