Trayvon Martin's parents visit Congress, say they continue to fight for justice

Updated: 6:25 p.m. ET

Trayvon Martin's parents made an appearance on Tuesday in a forum in Congress led by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee about racial profiling, taking a moment to thank their supporters for helping them "fight for justice" for their son, and for their efforts to make sure that he "did not indeed die in vain."

"Trayvon was our son, but Trayvon is your son," said Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin's mother, to a hushed room. "A lot of people can relate to our situation. And it breaks their heart just like it breaks mine. Thank you for everything."

Tracy Martin, Trayvon Martin's father, added his thanks to everyone "who has helped us stand tall in this matter" and who is "holding the legacy of Trayvon and making sure that he did not indeed die in vain."

"I'd just like to say thank you, and he's sadly missed, and we'll continue to fight for justice for him," Martin said.

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The couple, who arrived several minutes into the Democratic-led forum on the role of the federal government on issues of racial profiling and hate crimes, was greeted with applause as they walked into the room. Shortly following their arrival, House Democrats led a moment of silence on behalf of the 17-year-old, who was slain a month ago by a neighborhood watch member in Sanford, Florida.

Participants in the forums called for Congress to pass stronger laws prohibiting racial profiling, and urged state legislatures to repeal the so-called "Stand Your Ground" laws which have come under intense scrutiny in light of Martin's death.

There were no Republican lawmakers present at the event.

In Florida, the "Stand Your Ground" law allows a person to "stand his or her ground and meet force with force . . . including deadly force" if there is a reasonable belief it is needed to "prevent death or great bodily harm," even if there's a chance to escape.

George Zimmerman, the Sanford, Fla., neighborhood watch volunteer who shot the unarmed teen last month, claims he was defending himself.

According to a report in the Orlando Sentinel, Zimmerman told police he exchanged words with Martin and that Martin attacked him. Zimmerman says he began crying for help, but Martin's family argues it was their son who was calling for help. Witness accounts differ and 911 tapes are not clear. 

"We are here today to discuss a matter that never should have happened," said Benjamin Crump, the Martin family attorney. "I think it's one of those matters that if we had a better understanding and more laws on racial profiling, that this never would have happened."

"We honestly believe that Trayvon Martin is dead today because he was racially profiled," Crump added.

Speaking to reporters following the forum, Fulton and Martin said they would continue to seek justice for their son's death. 

"Of course my heart is broken, but it breaks even more to know that we have not gotten justice yet and that this man has not been arrested for shooting and killing my son," Fulton said.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a Texas Democrat, said Tuesday that Congress has a "legislative responsibility" to end "the killing of young boys of all backgrounds in America."

Lee cited figures showing that the number of justified homicides in the state of Florida had increased since the passage of the "Stand Your Ground" law, and suggested that it was because of that law that "the police department in this instance unfortunately did not pursue the vigorous investigation that was necessary."

Lee, alongside several other participants in the panel, demanded further investigations into "Stand Your Ground" laws, as well as increased regulations and accountability for those patrolling the streets.

"I will not rest until an arrest is made," said Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., in remarks. "I will not stop beating this drum until we have justice for Trayvon. I am tired of burying young black boys. I have buried too many, cried too many tears, attended too many funerals, and it is unnecessary."

Wilson said she planned to introduce legislation demanding the establishment of a federal commission aimed at studying the "race-based injustices, health disparities, and economic disparities affecting African American men and boys."

"This investigation is laced with racial profiling, lies, and murder," Wilson added. "Trayvon was hunted, chased, tackled, and shot. Ill-conceived laws and lax gun laws all contributed to this tragedy."

Over the weekend, New York Democratic Senator Chuck Shumer called on the Justice Department to expand its probe of the Martin shooting to include an examination of the "Stand Your Ground" laws, which he argued presented a move toward "vigilantism."

"This 'Stand Your Ground' law is a whole new concept in our jurisprudence," Schumer said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "It basically says if you fear great physical harm you can shoot. Some people call it 'Shoot first, ask questions later.'"

16 Photos

Fla. teen Trayvon Martin killed by neighborhood watch volunteer

[TiredOfRacist1]

You racist bigots! How about the biggest gansta of them all that kills their own kind/ all mankind in a fake war on weapons of mass destruction... The best drive by shooters around Goerge W and Cheney! They are the OG's! Holding America at gun point and robbing us blind... We lost over 4500 soldiers to the war and over 32'000 was left wounded! Just because they live in the suburbs does not mean they're hands are clean!

[lovethiscountry]

This is tragic for two families but what is unbelievably tragic is our Media and our Activist President who for some reason want Racism to be a major issue in the US today and are absolutely out of control. No one gets the facts before they jump to conclusions . . . Why do they think this was Racism when you have a Hispanic/Jewish young person (this could raise concern for those two communities). The police were doing their job, it was the DA's office that made the decision.

And why do Chicago activists get involved when Chicago's south side is a war zone for young black children and adults (blacks killing blacks). And everytime it happens the politicians and ministers only blame the availability of 'guns'. Yes, guns make killing easy but why should they want to kill in the first place????

[reality_sanity]

The President and Mitt Romney both called for processing under the rule of law. It was the Republicans that wrote the law, Jeb Bush the governor that signed the law and two Tea party Presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum that have tried George Zimmerman in the press claiming pursuit negated any self-defense claim.

[Atheist_al_Qaeda]

Trayvon was our son, but Trayvon is your son," said Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin's mother.

This thug is not my son. My son-s, have'nt been suspended from school for drugs or have they vandalized private property or tried to beat someone to death because they asked them a question when they were somewhere they shouldn't have been wearing a hoodie.

[reality_sanity]

Your sons were also not required to deal with the extend pursuit of an armed individual threatening them (by known and corroborated pursuit) contrary to the Neighborhood Watch guidelines and published police advice to neighborhood watch groups and explicit instructions from a police dispatcher.

[TrakerJon]

Let's look at some facts...
1. Zimmerman should have backed off when the police dispatcher told him that he didn't need to follow Martin.
2. Martin obviously got the best of Zimmerman for what some people may consider to be stalking and taunting a young black man into a fight in which Zimmerman ultimately was getting his butt kicked when he shot Martin.

Now, the question is...should Zimmerman be held accountable for instigating the confrontation and ultimately killing someone?

I think most would agree at the very least the "self defense" argument is weakened substantially when the person making the claim basically initiated the altercation. Secondly, to use lethal force in a fist fight is taking the situation to a level over and above what was called for with the police on the way and witnesses near by the scene. In my opinion, Zimmerman should be charged at the very least with manslaughter. In Florida, manslaughter is defined as: The killing of a human being by the act, procurement, or culpable negligence of another, without lawful justification according to the provisions of chapter 776 and in cases in which such killing shall not be excusable homicide or murder.

[Atheist_al_Qaeda]

Is the media still carrying this story on a daily basis?
That's right, keep fanning the flames CBS until you along with the rest of the mainstream media have Sanford, FL burnt to the ground and "real" innocent people killed with your yellow journalism.

You'd think this was the righteous and legitimate civil rights movement of the 1960's the way the media picked up on this month old local story and ran with it.

[Lerianis4]

They would do better if they would stop blaming the "Stand" laws for their sons death. They have nothing to do with that. Their son was STALKED and then MURDERED by a racist dipwad who should be rotting in the nearest mental asylum or prison for the rest of his life.

[SoCal_Gridlock]

Trayvon's mother called for peaceful protest/demonstration.

The New Black Panthers are trying to raise one million dollars as bounty on Zimmerman, even boldly going on TV to make the announcement.

Will Eric Holder and his justice department do something about the New Black Panthers in this case? I hope so but I bet not.

[Lerianis4]

Personally, I have to say that the New Black Panthers might have the right thing here. When the law will not do what is right (charging a person with a crime), that is when vigilantism is justified.

[drebbin]

test

[drebbin]

I cant believe that congress is messing with this. Its not there place,,Shouldn't they be focused on things like the econemy and gas prices or even the war. This is a Police issue and they have done there job. If no charges are to be filed thats they way it is. Its amazing that people can start an up rising and try to change the law.

I guess this is why Raceisim still exists,,,,cause some people can't get over Black, White, Hispanic or Asain,,,in the end who really cares.

[Truthbehad]

Raceisim will always exist.

[houseofamanda]

I have been in the business of taking care of therapeutic teen males from the age of 15 years of age on up. I have recently started dealing with the mentally challenged adult males. This incident with young Trayvon Martin has sadden me, just as I am sure it has others. For the life of me , I just can't understand what triggers a person to kill anyone, let alone a child. I feel that we as Americans , have been set back to the days when Martin Luther King and others were marching for this very thing, injustice. Our black men are now as always , an endangered species. I have had all types of male teens in my home, Bloods, Cripes, MS13 and none of them were bad enough to kill, as a matter of fact, in my home they were perfect angels. There is one thing that we as people need to do and that is fight against injustice that has reared it's ugly head once again.
http://houseofamanda.com/