Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, is running for office in Miami, Florida, as reported by the Miami Herald. Specifically, she’s said she will run for a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission.
Since her unarmed 17-year-old son, Trayvon, was shot and killed by “neighborhood watch” volunteer George Zimmerman in 2012, Fulton has become a visible figure in efforts to reduce gun violence. Trayvon’s death put a national spotlight on Florida’s horrifying “stand your ground” laws and, for obvious reasons, gun violence and racism, especially against young black men.
In spite of this, Zimmerman was acquitted in 2013.
“Since 2012, I have advocated tirelessly to empower our communities and make them safer,” Fulton told the Miami Herald in a statement. “But the work is not done. I am proud to announce that I will run to represent District 1 on the county commission.”
“Our county must continue moving forward so our families are safe from violence, can afford to live in Miami-Dade, and have access to good paying jobs,” Fulton continued in her statement. “I am ready to take on these issues and many others in county government.”
When her son was killed, Fulton worked for the county. Since then, she’s openly advocated for gun reform, including more regulations for private gun sales and comprehensive background checks. More broadly, she’s also advocated for social justice and anti-poverty measures.
Notably, her run for county commission isn’t her first dip into politics. In 2016, Fulton campaigned for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. She also appeared in gun safety advocacy campaigns, co-wrote a book, and worked to create the Trayvon Martin Foundation, a nonprofit.
Fulton has made it clear that she didn’t envision a life for herself in the public, political eye, but since her son’s death, she’s been an active advocate.
"I think Black people are not forced to forgive, but they are expected to forgive because there are so many times where we have forgiven people who have done mean, evil, and nasty things to us,” she told Essence in an interview.
“Prior to this, I was just an average mom working an average job living in an average house, taking care of average kids," she continued to the magazine. "It took my son to be shot down before I stood up, because I never expected to be a community activist, to be a spokesperson, to be an author."
Who is she up against for the upcoming seat? Right now it’s Oliver Gilbert, the mayor of Miami Gardens. Barbara Jordan is the current commissioner and will be leaving her seat in 2020.
Fulton’s speeches and interviews are always incredible and moving. Here’s one, courtesy of YouTube: