Trayvon Martin's parents Sabrina Martin and Tracy Martin prepare to speak at the Moral Monday Rally at the State Capital in Tallahassee, Florida in 2015
Photo By: Duane C. Fernandez Sr. / Hardnotts Photography L.L.C.
Story By: Duane C. Fernandez Sr.
I'm a photojournalist with the Daytona Times Newspaper. Ten years ago today I covered the killing of Trayvon Martin. Justice for Trayvon Martin rallies, took place across the country as the media from around the world congregated in Sanford, Florida as the trial against George Zimmerman started. Civil Rights Leaders from around the country would come together to take this fight to Washington D.C. with the N.A.A.C.P. as we fought for change.
On February 26, ten years ago, the world would morn the loss of Trayvon Martin a young shining star who's life was cut short on a assumption. The City of Sanford, Florida became the most hated city in America and around the world after a vigilante neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin. The killing would launch the rise of the Black Lives Matter organization and many other organizations. These organizations would pursue justice for Trayvon and the many other victims of senseless beatings and killings in America. These rallies and marches brought out Civil Rights Activists, Clergy, Actors, Actresses, Celebrities, and people of all ethnicities, to protest the killing of Trayvon around the country.
Americans were fed up with the mistreatment of the Blacks in America. As the trial began I would travel to Sanford, Florida two to three times a week. I devoted a quarter of my time in Sanford to speaking with and photographing the residents of the Black Community of Goldsboro as they went about their day to day living for the duration of the trial. Many Black resident's believed the killing of Trayvon was unjust and senseless, while many White residents thought Zimmerman was standing his ground. The lines were drawn in the sand over the killing of Trayvon. Many people in America thought the the killing was justifiable under the Stand Your Ground Law. This law sparked tension between the local residents and the visitors. The local residents expressed that although their city had been turned into as circus, they couldn't wait until the trial was over and the media left their town so they could get back to their normal lives.
I remember speaking with a deacon of one of the local churches in the Black Community of the Goldsboro section of Sanford during trial. The Deacon expressed his concern about what would happen once the media circus left town. He said he hoped and prayed for change in his community when the trial was over. There must be change with the treatment of blacks in this community and across the country. After covering the Trayvon Martin trial, I'll always see the world in a different way through the lens of my camera.
Today with camera phones and other technology, citizens are able to capture these crimes on video and stream these crimes live on social media.
My name is Duane C. Fernandez Sr. I'm Executive Producer of the two part documentary series "Keeping Up With The Corona In Daytona And Beyond". I have attached the link for
both parts to this email. Feel free to share them.
Duane C. Fernandez Sr. / Hardnotts Photography L.L.C.
Part 1 - https://vimeo.com/653773283
Part 2 - https://vimeo.com/653773283
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