By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that just last week, members of the Miami-Dade Commission passed a motion unanimously to name a road after Trayvon Martin? It was Commissioner Barbara Jordan who sponsored the resolution and leading the pack of Democrats on the Commission to see the resolution passed. The road located to renaming, is located outside of the high school Martin attended.
The Board’s resolution reads in part, “This Board appreciates the social justice reforms spurred by his death, recognizes all that his legacy could have been, and would like to honor the life and memory of Trayvon Benjamin Martin by codesignating that portion of NE 16th Avenue from Ives Dairy Road, to NE 209th Street as ‘Trayvon Martin Avenue.”
For anyone needing a refresher as to exactly who Trayvon Martin was, on February 26, 2010 George Zimmerman was charged with second degree murder after he was forced to kill Trayvon Martin in an act of self-defense after Martin attacked Zimmerman. Zimmerman was outside protecting his neighborhood from criminal activity when he had spotted Martin suspiciously standing outside with no purpose. As Zimmerman observed and followed Martin to determine if Martin was involved, or about to be involved in criminal activity, the much larger Trayvon Martin attacked Zimmerman, pinning him to the ground and began punching Zimmerman in the head. That is when George Zimmerman, drew his legally possessed firearm, shooting Martin, killing him. Zimmerman was acquitted of the charge after a jury trial in July of 2013.
Florida has been transitioning since the Black Lives Matter protests and riots began earlier this year. Historical statues have been pulled down and destroyed by mobs, also businesses burned all in the name of “social justice.” Just last month, Governor DeSantis passed legislation to prosecute rioters and looters, including those affiliated with the BLM movement.
Somewhat like other States also suffering destruction and looting attributed in part to Black Lives Matter, Floridians will determine as to what exactly is appropriate for “social justice.” Election Day is only several weeks away and Floridians no doubt will make their votes speak loudly as to what direction our State will be heading.