The anniversary of the killing of Trayvon Martin has led to a number of commemorative events in various cities around the country.
The 17-year-old high school student was shot and killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Florida, on Feb. 26, 2012, sparking a national controversy. In the aftermath of the teenager’s death, there were a number of rallies in support of his family and denouncing racial profiling and gun violence.
A candlelight vigil will be held on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. in New York City’s Union Square Park, with a moment of silence to begin shortly after 7 p.m. It was the same place where one of the first rallies in support of the Martin family was held in March 2012.
Another event is planned for Tuesday evening in Atlanta, where organizers are conducting a rally on the steps of the Georgia State capitol. The 5 p.m. gathering, which is billed as a “Remember and Act” rally, is being organized by a wide number of groups, including the student government organizations of Morehouse, Spelman and Clark Atlanta University. Other groups include the Georgia Federation of Teachers and the local chapter of the Communications Workers of America.
A rally was held in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Lanham, Maryland, this past weekend. The event, which was called “We Won’t Let You Fall,” was a tribute “to the life and legacy of Trayvon Martin,” and was held at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

The observances come just weeks after what would have been Trayvon Martin’s 18th birthday. That date was commemorated outside of Sanford, Florida, courthouse. It was attended by community leaders and students singing “Happy Birthday.” There was also a community peace walk as well as a fundraising event that included the parents of Martin and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

The family is raising funds for its Justice for Trayvon Martin Foundation.
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