The movement for black lives may not depend on politicians, but Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, has a message about electing Hillary Clinton in November: "This isn’t about being politically correct. This is about saving our children."
"I will do everything I can to focus some of this light on the pain of a path out of the darkness," Fulton said.
Fulton, who was joined by Gwen Carr, Lucia McBath, Lesley McSpadden, Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley, Maria Hamilton, and Geneva Reed-Veal, stood, dressed in black, as a "Mother of the Movement" both mourning and advocating for the black children killed by vigilantes and police.
"I am an unwilling participant in this movement," Fulton said. "I would not have signed up for this or any other mother standing with me today, but I am here today for my son Trayvon Martin, who is in heaven. And also for his brother Jahvaris Fulton, who is still here on earth. I did not want the spotlight."
Indeed, the Black Lives Matter movement as we know it today, began in July 2013 when George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges for killing Fulton's son Trayvon Martin in as he walked home in 2012. In the years since, racial injustice has continued.
And as people learned the names of people like Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Jordan Davis, and Mike Brown, the movement for black lives also became inextricably linked to the mothers who have had to learn to speak for their slain children.
The women have stood together to carry on their children’s legacy in their wake. And while their work extends far beyond the DNC platform, they are making the case that Clinton is the one they trust to fight with them to ensure no other black child suffers a similar fate.
"That is why we are here tonight with Hillary Clinton, and that is why, in memory of our children, we are imploring you, all of you, to vote this Election Day," Fulton said. "Hillary is one mother who can ensure our movement will succeed. I want to thank you for standing with us and supporting us, and we would like to leave with you what God has given us: strength, love, and peace. Thank you."
