ABC/Randy HolmesJAY-Z was among the hundreds of marchers on Saturday for the sixth annual Peace Walk & Peace Talk in Florida. The rally, which honors the victims of gun violence, also made mention of Trayvon Martin, the young Miami Gardens native who was fatally shot in 2012 while in Central Florida.
According to ABC News affilate WPLG, JAY-Z joined Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, on stage at the Betty T. Ferguson Amphitheatre where he spoke about the slain teen.
“We want to make sure that we stand and support and never forget that Trayvon serves as a beacon of light to the people out here,” JAY-Z said. “So you guys never have to go through the pain and hurt that these guys went through.”
Trayvon, a black, unarmed, 17-year-old, was fatally shot by neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman. Zimmerman was later acquitted of second degree murder and manslaughter in the case, setting off a wave of racially charged protests around the nation.
JAY- Z continued, “[Trayvon’s] name will sit alongside some of the greats who lost their lives to push our culture forward.”
As previously reported, JAY-Z is producing Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story, a docu-series on Martin which is set to air on the Paramount Network.
This month, Trayvon would have celebrated his 23rd birthday.
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