ColorOfChange.org changing the color of democracy

One year ago, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was unjustly pursued and killed while walking home from a convenience store in Sanford, Florida. For weeks after Trayvon's murder, police failed to take his shooter, George Zimmerman, into custody. This lack of accountability was a tragic reminder of the racism persistent in the criminal justice system and it sparked a national outrage. ColorOfChange members and our allies, have worked tirelessly to demand justice for Trayvon, and an end to Shoot First laws — the laws used to protect Trayvon's killer from justice. As a result of these efforts, Zimmerman may stand trial in June. But even with a trial date planned, we must continue to demand justice.

In honor of Trayvon's life, ColorOfChange has created a video calling on all of us to redouble our efforts in the fight for Trayvon. Watch the video above and share it with family and friends.

Today, Trayvon Martin would have been celebrating his 18th birthday. Instead, his family and supporters around the world remember the life of the 17-year-old, gunned down while walking unarmed in Florida. To commemorate the day, community leaders have planned memorial events across the country. At ColorOfChange, our members continue to demand justice for Trayvon Martin, insist that gun-violence no longer lead to corporate profit, and fight back against media images that perpetuate racial stereotypes of Black men. 

Take a look at the beautiful Art for Trayvon Tumblr to see the kinds of positive action Trayvon's life has inspired.

Trayon Martin (Feb. 5, 1995 - Feb. 26, 2012)

Last Friday, Jordan Russell Davis, a 17-year-old Florida high school student, was shot and killed during a dispute over loud music with Michael David Dunn, 45. According to Davis' father, the teenager was unarmed.

It's hard to ignore how closely the circumstances of the case echo the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed Florida teenager who was shot less than a year ago. ColorOfChange members spoke out against Florida's "Shoot First" law, which shielded Trayvon's killer from arrest and prosecution. Now, Black communities are once again feeling the devastating impact of "Shoot First," which will likely be invoked by Dunn's legal defense.

Join us in redoubling our efforts to demand that state government officials oppose "Shoot First" laws where they are under consideration and repeal them where they are in place. Read the email we sent to our members after the jump.

Capitalizing on LeBron James' heightened visibility during the much-hyped NBA finals — which is enjoying its highest ratings in eight years — State Farm is heavily promoting an eye-catching public service announcement featuring the celebrity spokesman. The ad graphically illustrates the devastating effects of a stunted education on a young Black man's life prospects, then reassures us: "State Farm and LeBron are helping kids graduate."

But if State Farm cares so much about our kids, why is it still funding the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)?

This week, Trayvon Martin's parents joined the Second Chance on Shoot First Coalition to deliver 370,000 petition signatures to a meeting of Florida's Task Force on Stand Your Ground Laws yesterday. The petition delivery and press conference featured powerful testimonies calling for an end to "shoot first" laws nationwide.

More than 32,000 of the signatures came from ColorOfChange members who signed a petition demanding that the law that was used to justify George Zimmerman's actions come off the books in Florida and across the nation.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has voted to launch an investigation into so-called "stand your ground" laws. The laws, which permit the use of deadly force in cases of self-defense, have come under scrutiny after playing a key role in the defense of George Zimmerman, the man who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida earlier this year. In its proposal, the commission cited potential racial bias in the laws' implementation as the chief reason for the probe.

Members of the ColorOfChange community know well the connection between "stand your ground" and the American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC, a far-right policy group, has pushed the laws in almost two dozen states.

Yesterday, ColorOfChange launched a campaign calling on state officials to repeal Shoot First Laws -- the dangerous law that's being used to shield George Zimmerman, the man who shot Trayvon Martin. Please join us in calling on elected officials in your state to stand against these laws. Here's the email we sent to our members yesterday morning.

Dear ColorOfChange Member,

Florida's 'Shoot First' law allowed Trayvon Martin's killer to walk free without formal charges — for more than a month. Shoot First laws legalize vigilante homicide, even in circumstances that would otherwise merit murder charges.

Today, Sybrina Fulton released a powerful Mother's Day message calling for a nationwide reform of Shoot First Laws.

 “This will be my first Mother’s Day without my son, Trayvon. I know it will be hard, but with my faith, family, and the outpouring of national support, I will get through,” says Ms. Fulton.  

On Monday, Executive Director Rashad Robinson spoke with Jennifer Granholm of Current TV's The War Room about the escalating campaign to sever the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) corporate ties.

Recent pressure from ColorOfChange members has forced Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Kraft to cut ties with the conservative group behind the voter ID laws and the "Kill at Will" bills now being used to defend Trayvon Martin's killer. Today, the news broke that McDonald's has ended its membership with ALEC as well. Watch the full segment here.

Today, ColorOfChange members are making calls to AT&T to demand that the company stop funding the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC, which has pushed voter ID laws that disenfranchise large numbers of Black voters, also pushed a bill based on Florida's "Shoot First" law – which has shielded Trayvon Martin's killer from justice.

Even after we wrote AT&T to let them know that more than 85,000 ColorOfChange members have asked that they disassociate themselves from ALEC, the company has remained silent. It's clear that they think we will just go away. As a result of recent pressure by ColorOfChange members, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Kraft Foods all decided to end their relationship with ALEC. We know we can win here too.

Will you help us hold AT&T accountable for supporting voter suppression? Please take a moment to call AT&T and demand that they stop supporting ALEC.

Click here to make the phone call: http://act.colorofchange.org/call/attalec/