Today marks what would have been Trayvon Martin’s 30th birthday—a milestone he was never given the chance to reach. His name became known not for his dreams or accomplishments, but because his life was unjustly taken in an incident that shook the world.
On February 26, 2012, just two weeks after his 17th birthday, Trayvon was walking home after leaving a store when George Zimmerman deemed him “suspicious” and decided to follow him. A confrontation ensued, and an unarmed Trayvon was shot in the chest, dying on the scene. Zimmerman, who claimed self-defense, was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter in July 2013.
Trayvon never got to attend prom, pursue his ambitions, or experience the fullness of adulthood. His parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, continue to carry the pain of losing their son to an act of senseless violence—while the justice he deserved was never served.
Now, 13 years after his tragic passing, Trayvon’s legacy endures as a symbol of the fight for justice and civil rights. His name stands alongside those of Mike Brown, Tamir Rice, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others whose lives were cut short by racial violence.
Today, we remember Trayvon Martin—not just for how he died, but for the movement his memory helped inspire.
Happy 30th Birthday, King. Rest in Power.
