A Trayvon Martin Forum demanded an end to stop-and-frisk, a form of racial profiling, in a public discussion on July 31 at New York’s LGBT Center located at 208 West 13th St.
Constance Malcolm, mother to the late Ramarley Graham—who was killed by police in 2012, was at the forum urging people to fight for the community’s children.
“I don’t want another parent to feel what I’m feeling, or bury another child the way I did,” Malcolm stated in a press release. “They don’t want us to rise up. Well we have to rise up and let them know enough is enough!”
The forum not only addressed issues, but acted as a place for strategizing next steps.
Aside from Malcolm, speakers included Akua Ofori, Aidje Patterson, Thenjiwe McHarris and Michelle Crentsil. The National Lawyers Guild, Million Hoodies for Trayvon and other activist groups were also in attendance.
Crentsil, a racial justice activist, discussed events in history similar to Trayvon Martin’s and related them back to present day.
“Understanding that racism is core to our society’s practices is something we need to talk about,” Crentsil said.
The forum also discussed a way to encourage people to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The March on Washington by heading to D.C. on Aug. 24.
“We want to bring these discussions to a national stage,” Crentsil said of going to D.C. in August, adding that they are also going to continue to fight locally.
For more information, visit www.NYCSocialist.org or call (347) 670-3590.
