JAY-Z Calls Trayvon Martin a ‘Beacon of Light and Hope’ at Peace Walk In Miami [VIDEO]
Trayvon Martin’s memory was remembered at the sixth annual Peace Walk & Peace Talk rally in Miami on Saturday (Feb. 10). Among the hundreds of marchers at the rally was none other than JAY-Z.
According to the Miami Herald, the rap veteran stood in solidarity with Trayvon Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin. He also delivered a powerful speech honoring Trayvon Martin’s legacy and what his memory means to the Black Lives Matter movement.
“We want to make sure that we stand and support and we never forget [that] Trayvon serves as a beacon of light to the people out here, so you guys never have to go through the pain and hurt that these guys went through,” he told the rapt crowd. “His name will sit alongside some of the greats whom lost their life to push our culture forward - the Martin Luther Kings, the Ghandis; that’s the intention that we set, that his name serves as a beacon of light and hope, and pushes us into a better direction.”
The annual march honors Martin, the unarmed 17-year-old who was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla. in 2013. Zimmerman was ultimately acquitted of murder charges as a result of Florida's controversial Stand Your Ground law. February 5th would have been Martin's 23rd birthday.
In 2013, JAY-Z established a relationship with the slain teen’s family when he, and his wife Beyoncé, attended the “Justice for Trayvon Martin” rally in New York.
JAY-Z is currently producing a six-part documentary on Martin's life, which is slated to air on the Paramount Network this year. "This is an important American story,” said JAY-Z in a press release. “We’re honored that Trayvon’s family has entrusted us to share the truth with the world.”
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