San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

Aztec student leaders react to Zimmerman verdict

tr1Surrounded by significant police presence, many protesters gathered at Highland Park in City Heights on Sunday to rally in response to Saturday’s court ruling declaring George Zimmerman not guilty in the death of Trayvon Martin.

Civil rights demonstrators spoke of the issue of race, which has brought this case to national attention, to a crowd carrying a plethora of signs, some of which showed the image of the late, hooded teen.

Many San Diego State students were in attendance, including SDSU Afrikan Student Union member and English senior Helena McAllister, who said this ruling affected a range of communities.

“Everyone is here because we want justice, not only for Trayvon, but for the community in San Diego,” McAllister said. “I feel that this issue affects not only the black community, but everyone of color, including Mexicans, Asians and the LGBT community.”

McAllister already has a plan of how to give back and help local communities improve themselves.

“I’m from southeast San Diego, so everything is happening where I live,” McAllister said. “ASU has been in contact with community leaders who are around these marginalized communities. We want to show people they can make a difference. If they want to see change, they need to get their education first.”

“You work on yourself, love yourself and then come back to teach everyone else to love themselves.”

tr2Some locals shared personal or popular stories with the audience concerning racial profiling. Others opted to lecture attendees in how they should behave with authorities, especially as people of color. Former SDSU A.S. Diversity Commissioner Washington Navarrete said this ruling served as a reminder to him.

“What happens to the youth of color in the streets now that we have a ruling that says it’s okay to shoot a youth of color because of self-defense?” Navarrete said. “It just reminded me that as a person of color, you have to police your behavior ten times more than anyone else has to do it just so you don’t come off as the criminal or you are labeled as that other person who doesn’t belong in that community.”

The event was organized and took place less than a day after the court’s ruling. More than 16,000 people received an invitation through social media. Numerous attendees wore hoodies in support of Martin, and in between each speaker’s deliberation they chanted, “no justice, no peace.”

Attendees were also asked to raise their hand if they had had a relative murdered, to which nearly half the crowd responded with raised hands.

Amid a variety of opinions of the ruling, there was one person who decided not to voice his.

“My personal feelings don’t matter, really they don’t,” Service Area Lieutenant of City Heights James Keck said. “When you choose to put on this uniform and do this profession for the city, you take that personal side off and put it in the locker. It’s not here; I can truly say it’s not here.”

Keck then noted the reason for his attendance.

“Our presence here as members of the community is to preserve the peace while people speak and (can) be heard,” Keck said. “This is America, and they are sharing how they feel about the situation. You can obviously tell there is a lot of different viewpoints here that are not necessarily all in the same page, so we’re here to assure no criminal acts occur.”

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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Aztec student leaders react to Zimmerman verdict