UF Law plans two events to recognize anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death

January 31, 2014

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It’s been almost two years since the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The gunman, George Zimmerman, has been tried and acquitted, yet the case still leaves an indelible mark in the country’s consciousness – questions of race, culture and justice in America remain as pressing as ever.

To mark the two-year anniversary of these events, the University of Florida Levin College of Law will host two events to address these questions and more. The events are co-sponsored by the Center on Children and Families and Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations.

“This is a critical juncture to continue to focus on the broad issues of race and racism exposed by the death of Trayvon Martin and an opportunity to move forward on needed systemic and cultural change,” said Nancy Dowd, director of the Center on Children and Families.

The first, “Looking Back, Moving Forward,” will be a town hall-style forum moderated by UF Law Professor Kenneth Nunn. The meeting will give students and community members the opportunity to speak and discuss their thoughts on Martin’s life and death, George Zimmerman’s trial, and the broader questions of race and justice. The town hall meeting will be 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 5 in the UF Law Chesterfield Smith Memorial Classroom, HOL 180. The event is free and open to the public.

The next event will be an academic lecture and expert panel. The keynote lecture, centered on the Martin case, will be delivered by Duke University sociology professor Eduardo Bonilla-Silva. The presentation will be followed by responses from a panel of experts including UF Law professor and CSRRR Director Kathryn Russell-Brown and UF anthropology and African-American studies professor Faye Harrison. The lecture will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 13, also in the UF Law Chesterfield Smith Memorial Classroom, HOL 180. The event is free and open to the public.