Following the not-guilty verdict of George Zimmerman for the death of Trayvon Martin, Americans everywhere have voiced their opinions on the trial through social media, peaceful demonstrations and in some cases, looting and vandalism.
Thankfully, Auburn students have taken a non-violent approach to expressing their beliefs, no matter their opinion.
April Scott, president of the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association, helped organize a candlelight vigil Tuesday, June 16, "to honor Trayvon Martin and others who have fallen victim to senseless acts of violence."
"I feel like generationally, we've missed the boat when it comes to activism," Scott said. "Social media is great because it can get people together and bring awareness, but a lot of times it just stops there. So we're trying to take this anger and emotion that's being shown on twitter, and we're putting a movement behind it."
Scott's opening statements to the crowd were followed by poems and other speakers from the crowd who wanted to express their displeasure with the verdict in the Zimmerman trial.
"I was completely shocked that someone who has a history of violence could get away with killing an unarmed person," Scott said.
Ben Dillon, a senior majoring in English literature, was at the vigil to pay his respect to Trayvon Martin.
He was not pleased with the verdict either.
"I was upset because I was personally hoping for a conviction," Dillon said. "I discussed it with many people and read about the trial. I didn't watch it, but I expected a manslaughter conviction. I was hoping he would be convicted for the symbolic value and what it represents for how we're taking an attitude toward police business and serving justice within our communities."
President of the Auburn Black student Union Akilah Williams was also saddened by the jury's decision, but she said she couldn't argue that they made the correct legal judgment.
"I do not think justice was served, but I do think that the jury made the correct decision based on the information they were given," Williams said. "Honestly, they made the right decision, because they couldn't use any of their own opinion. They had to use exactly what the prosecution and defense gave them. The defense gave a great case; at least one that was better than what the prosecution gave."
Williams added she thought the prosecution attorneys could have been more aggressive in presenting their argument.
"There were so many factors they could've really hit on that would have made this case something worth fighting for," Williams said. "If I was there, I could have just strangled the prosecution. They were just very passive."
Andrew Waters, senior in building science, is from Umatilla, Fla., which is approximately 30 minutes away from Sanford, where the trial took place. He said while he was sympathetic towards the victim, he didn't think the case should have been brought to trial.
"Based on the evidence, there was nothing to convict George Zimmerman," Waters said. "Trayvon was the aggressor, and there was no evidence to support that Zimmerman started the altercation. I believe that the only reason he was tried in the first place was because of race relations. There was no reason to put this man in jail for simply defending himself."
Though Auburn students' opinions about the George Zimmerman trial vary, students have been responsible about sharing their beliefs by peacefully voicing their opinion. Scott, after the vigil, said this was only the beginning of what she hopes will bring real changes to our community.
"Politics is how you make change," Scott said. "We're starting an initiative to get people involved locally in politics. We can come together and attend city council meetings and write to our legislators. Once we give people the idea that they have a voice again, I think that's when we'll start seeing change."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
