SANFORD, FL – Florida special prosecutor Angela Corey announced today that she would be bringing charges of second degree murder against George Zimmerman in the killing of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin. The charges come after a viral campaign on Change.org launched by Trayvon Martin’s parents was signed by more than 2.2 million people and sparked new investigations into their son’s killing.
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of Trayvon Martin, began the campaign on Change.org after Sanford police declined to charge Zimmerman with a crime. In just a few weeks, the petition became the largest in Change.org’s history.
“I’m a normal mother. I just want justice for my son,” said Sybrina Fulton, about her campaign on Change.org. “It has been so powerful to see so many people stand with our family by signing this petition and we feel much closer to justice with the decision to bring charges against our son’s killer. We are thankful to the millions of people around the world who signed the petition on Change.org and called for justice for Trayvon.”
“We will continue to fight for justice for Trayvon, not only for our family but to help prevent racial profiling from happening to other teens,” said Tracy Martin. “Our family thanks all of the people who helped share Trayvon’s story by signing our petition.”
“Trayvon Martin’s parents have used the power of social media to accomplish something truly remarkable,” said Change.org Senior Campaigner Jonathan Perri. “Their petition on Change.org turned a local tragedy into an international movement for justice, inspiring millions to take action. Sybrina and Tracy can finally take solace in the knowledge that their son’s killer will be charged – and that the two million people who joined their Change.org petition have been heard.”
Trayvon Martin was shot and killed while walking from a store where he had just purchased a bag of Skittles and an iced tea for his younger brother. According to reports, Zimmerman called police to report a suspicious person after he saw Martin walking back from the store. Despite police instructing him not to confront Martin, Zimmerman allegedly approached the teenager. Witnesses say a scuffle ensued before Zimmerman shot the unarmed teen in the chest with a semi-automatic pistol, killing Trayvon Martin.
