Crime

Town Where Trayvon Martin Was Shot Dismantles Memorial of His Death

The death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin has long since become – depending on your point of view – a national tragedy and a parable about racism and violence leading to murder, or a tragic accident that the media blew up into a national disgrace at the cost of their own credibility. So far, it’s too early to tell which narrative will be proven right, given that the trial of Martin’s shooter, George Zimmerman, is still under way.

Zimmerman bond hearing

George Zimmerman at his bond hearing

But what about the memory of Martin himself? How will that be preserved? That’s the root question at the heart of a story that comes to us from the Los Angeles Times, detailing how the town of Sanford, Florida, where Martin was shot, has dismantled a memorial to the slain teen – an action they claim is motivated by aesthetics, but which critics say is probably motivated by the desire to whitewash history.

Let‘s take a trip down memory lane and flash back to the fateful period following Martin’s death. Apparently, less than a week after the incident, community members of Sanford had set up a memorial to Martin that included laminated photos, silk flowers, teddy bears, and other trinkets to commemorate the death.

Sanford Florida Dismantles Memorial to Slain Teen Trayvon Martin, Outraging Local Civil Rights Activists

Photo Credit: The Los Angeles Times

At the time, this was no doubt a touching, memorable gesture, and one that deserved every ounce of respect.

However, according to Sanford’s residents, the problem with this display isn’t its message – it’s the fact that the objects involved are easy to degrade, especially by the forces of nature. Since the memorial was put up, it has been buffeted by rain, storms, dirt, mud, growing foliage and all sorts of other natural forces which have turned it from a touching display of compassion into…well, a hideous eyesore, if the reports are to be believed. This all led Sanford’s city officials to dismantle the memorial and remove its components to the local city museum. The reaction has been…mixed:

The move has prompted anger among black community leaders who say dismantling the tribute to Martin is the same as scrubbing the shooting from history.[...]

“It’s more of a psychological thing,” said Vera June, the legal advisor for the Concerned Citizens of Sanford, the group that first organized the curbside tribute. “With the memorial gone, people will try to forget what happened.”

That’s partly the goal, [city commissioner] Patty Mahany said.  The members of nearby gated communities and the parents of children at the elementary school across the street said they’ve looked long enough at a daily reminder of death.

“At some point, you’ve got to give it up and move forward,” Mahany said.[...]

Concerned Citizens met with [city officials] to request that the items be put back, June said. The city will notify them by Monday. Concerned Citizens said it would like for the teddy bears, flowers and crosses to remain in place until the one-year anniversary of Martin’s death.

Failing that, she said, the tribute could go to the Goldsboro Museum in a historically black area of Sanford – a fitting location to remember an event that stirred a nationwide discussion on race.

“I told them no, because he did not die here,” Goldsboro curator Francine Oliver said, adding that she wants the items returned to their original location. “He wasn’t even from Sanford. Why would I put it in the Goldsboro? Why would I even put it in the Sanford Museum?”

Now, what to make of this controversy? The uncharitable will likely dismiss it as the result of oversensitive racial paranoia, especially considering that Martin‘s parents don’t even live in the neighborhood, but we would not be prepared to go that far. At the same time, it seems rather silly to expect a community to keep a collection of perishable goods exposed to the elements, where their message will likely get lost away along with their form. Moreover, we don‘t know that we agree with the general idea that Martin’s death should be seen as a symbol of racial violence in the first place, at least not yet, thus the premise of creating a more permanent memorial strikes us as premature and potentially prejudicial.

Perhaps contingency plans should be put in place by the community to erect a more permanent memorial in the event that Zimmerman is found guilty. In the meantime, it is as Ms. Mahany says, “At some point, you’ve got to give it up and move forward.”

Comments (62)

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  • BULLETSCOATEDWITHPIGSBLOOD
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 11:38am

    George Zimmerman For President.

    Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 11:44am

      He’s got my vote. This country has abused him for defending himself.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • Nick84
      Posted on July 12, 2012 at 1:24am

      I’m guessing the only thing you know about Zimmerman is the fact that he killed a black kid. I guess that qualifies him for president according to most people on The Blaze…

      Report Post »  
  • UNBOTHERED
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 10:55am

    I am appalled by all of these racists on this thread. When Black people call white people racist, they are definitely talking about The Blaze members. All of you are either racist, or racist supporters. There are probably two or three people in this thread who are not racist, and still-they have no problem with the racist comments in this thread. None of you knew Trayvon. He has done NOTHING compared to a lot of white teens criminals. You all are trying to make him out to be a criminal, which he was not. he has not done anything that most of your rotten kids have done. And nothing compared to all the spoiled white tens with rich parents whose lawyers got them out of trouble. Not to mention the murderer, whose father got him out of trouble several times and caused him not to get a felony. And that is why the murderer was able to get a gun. I am very pissed off at the racists on here. And I am even more pissed at the ones who may not be racist, but who love to read racist things against black people. It makes me ashamed to be a white person, because truly believe most of you will always be racists. EDITED.

    Report Post » UNBOTHERED  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 11:18am

      I AM a racist and you are an …….

      You have to live with them to understand them. They have an attitude problem. Watch this.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfrR5lAxXV0&feature=related

      After 10 years in Rochester, NY, I moved to the country where blacks are rare. Maybe you should move to Rochester and get your eyes opened.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • jeffile
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 12:01pm

      “at some time you have to give it up and move on” should be a motto for the black community. Do blacks want to have this memorial for 150 years? A bad thing happened but no one really knows what really happened. Are you ready to hang out Zimmerman to dry because he isn’t black? Are your ready to exonerate Trayvon simply because he is black? Also you talk about black kids being persecuted while white kids get off. I live in a large city and there are quite a few drive by shootings. Can you tell me the racial identification of most of the perpetrators? Isn‘t it odd that dispised Chinese who at one time weren’t even allowed to have women immigrate into this country and Japanese during and after rWWII have blended in to society? Personally, I owe no one any apology for anything done by someone else’s ancestors. As the story stated, “it’s time to get over it and move on”. Slavery was bad but it hardly is an American white creation. Slavery is as old as mankind. Should I carry a grudge against Italians because the Romans placed my ancestors into bondage?

      Report Post »  
    • turkey13
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 1:20pm

      @Unbothered You forget the tweets that were released, an angel Trayvon wasn’t. He decided he was going to wuup someone and he just happened to pick an armed citize. Come Nov. 1st here in Oklahoma we will have open carry. I’v decided to carry my .30 Cal;. Ruger and have already bought a holster and I will still have my double barrel derringer in my pocket. Didn’t you read about the 18 year old mother that killed a guy when he was breaking down her door. The 911 operator told her to do what she had to do to save her baby.Mr. Zimmerman had to do the same.

      Report Post »  
    • SolitudeBliss
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 9:50pm

      Well, if you’d love to come to Youngstown and walk on the East side some evening I would love to talk to you about attitudes and racial views…. That’s if you make it out alive. Naive naive naive

      Report Post »  
    • FionnTebo
      Posted on July 12, 2012 at 2:56pm

      i dont think im a racist because for one i dont like alot of white people too…. for two i dont think you have enough sence in your mind to even understand what is going on around you(i may be wrong)… do you know about the new black panthers? know some of their famous quotes? do you know about the white privledge campaign in MI? Did you ever hear about mark slavin in the news who was brutally attacked and killed http://www.davidduke.com/?p=34144 …. its pretty simple for me to understand that we need to seperate races… no i ddont belive 1 to be better or more entiled then the other… i personally think that with races seperated we would be able to tackle the “race issue” once and for all but not only that but we would be able to progress as a race; races in general due to the fact that you wouldnt be able to claim RACIST… and this goes for both blacks whites mexicans and muslims….

      Report Post »  
  • RamonPreston
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 10:21am

    They should have done what emporers did years ago…turn it into an outhouse.

    Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 10:55am

      but angry black people won’t have a place to congregate and incite a lynch mob…that’s “un-fair”.

      Report Post »  
  • UNBOTHERED
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 10:21am

    I am appalled by all of these racists on this thread. When Black people call white people racist, they are definitely talking about The Blaze members. All of you are either racist, or racist supporters. There are probably two or three people in this thread who are not racist, and still-they have no problem with the racist comments in this thread. None of you knew Trayvon. He has done NOTHING compared to a lot of white teens criminals. You all are trying to make him out to be a criminal, which he was not. he has not done anything that most of your rotten kids have done. And nothing compared to all the spoiled white tens with rich parents whose lawyers got them out of trouble. Not to mention the murderer, whose father got him out of trouble several times and caused him not to get a felony. And that is why the murderer was able to get a gun. I am very pissed off at the racists on here. And I am even more pissed at the ones who may not be racist, but who love to read racist things against black people. It makes me ashamed to be a white person, because truly believe most of you will always be racists.

    Report Post » UNBOTHERED  
    • mtb13
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 11:07am

      You obviously do not come to this site often or just enjoy labeling everyone on here like a typical liberal. If you did come to this site often you would see that most times..not all, but most times racist comments are called out. You said and I quote “He has done NOTHING compared to a lot of white teens criminals. You all are trying to make him out to be a criminal, which he was not. he has not done anything that most of your rotten kids have done.” Really?? I’m sure the typical rotten kid sells drugs (allegedly) and punches bus drivers in the head and get suspended from school. Quit trying to make Trayvon look like a saint, the mainstream media already attempted that and failed. Does that mean Zimmerman is innocent of his action? No it does not, but that is not for us decide, that will be decided in court when the facts finally come out. So please go back to your hole and don’t come back here again labeling everyone on here as a racist, it is getting really old.

      Report Post »  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 11:42am

      This KID went to school and was “educated” in white guilt. I grew up in the 50s and 60s before all this crap came into being. The blacks can leave any time they want to but no nation on earth wants them. Does this suggest anything? Can you name any black country that is more than a 3rd world country? We gave South Africa back to them and has it prospered? No. It‘s all whitie’s fault.

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • huey6367
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 12:16pm

      Unbothered, you sound bothered

      Report Post »  
    • KusoJiJi
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 12:41pm

      your unbothered but appalled. which one is it?

      Report Post » KusoJiJi  
  • ContinentalArmy
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 10:14am

    Should not have been a memorial built to begin with! Too damn much praise for poor little thug Trayvon as is!! They should of built an Honorable Statue of Zimmerman instead, A Hero’s Statue!

    Report Post »  
    • Nick84
      Posted on July 12, 2012 at 1:28am

      How is Zimmerman a hero in your opinion? At the very least, it’s apparent that he was very sloppy in his self appointed duties as the neighborhood watch captain. I don’t understand what you think about this case makes him a hero.

      Report Post »  
  • paulwbrown
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 10:00am

    There is the very real possibility that Zimmerman is the real victim, being almost beaten to death by an angry young black male who ambushed Zimmerman. The tape with the dispatcher clearly reflects the Zimmerman broke off following Martin. If Martin was really in fear of Zimmerman, he could have simply kept going rather than ambushing Zimmerman. Even after the ambush, Martin could have fled once he knocked Zimmerman down. Zimmerman was doing a civic responsibility acting as a neighborhood watch captain. He correctly ID’d Martin as a possible suspect. He called the police as he should have done. He provided a description as he should have. His real “mistake” is that he was initially identified as being white. All of the uproar would have never happened if Zimmerman was black.

    Report Post » paulwbrown  
    • UNBOTHERED
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 10:13am

      Paul WHACK Brown-Only because I know you can’t be as dumb as your silly little “BAIT” post is, I won’t begin to tell you what you are. Nobody, not even you can be as dumb as your post is. It is obviously a “BAIT POST”. Because you post like you were ACTUALLY there watching everything. Your post is so literal, which means you want Trayvon’s supporters to read this and get angered with your explanation based on what The murderer lied about. If you want to make someone angered at your post, do it with less transparency. It will work better. You seem too desperate in your posting. it reeks of an amateur racist. THOSE KINDS OF RACISTS JUST GET LAUGHED AT. LMAO

      Report Post » UNBOTHERED  
    • Kerrain
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 11:08am

      WOW— Unbothered I did not realize you where a eye witness. I mean wow you must be to have gone after paulwbrown like that stating he was not there. I mean really all there is is the photos and medical reports. But if you are a actual eye witness I guess you would know beyond a shadow of a doubt. And if your not you expose yourself for the bigot you are.

      Report Post » Kerrain  
    • paulwbrown
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 11:56am

      And of course mindless unbothered was undoubtedly unbothered by the instant and massive condemnation of Zimmerman by all of the racist pimps before there was any evidence. He would be right there at home with the mob. I write from all of the evidence that has come out. Evidence that kept the police from even charging Zimmerman. He wasn’t charged until the progressives, racists, radicals, and other agitators joined in to “convict” Zimmerman, threatening violence, bounties, and massive protests until the authorities caved in. Zimmerman will not be convicted because he was the victim. He did act stupidly with lying about his finances at his initial bond hearing. Shame on him for that.

      Report Post » paulwbrown  
    • RamonPreston
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 11:58am

      UNBOTHERED is ignoring the forensic evidence. The damage was done to the back of Zimmerman’s clothing; not Martin’s. If Martin had been on the bottom the damage would have been to his clothing and the bullet would have been in the concrete.

      Does “Unbothered” mean that you are a black man using a white man’s avatar? When do you expect to learn to shave? What was/is your class standing? Has Menza contacted you?

      I welcome you to this website and invite you not to come back again. Try this: http://www.disney.com

      Report Post » RamonPreston  
    • huey6367
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 12:20pm

      Unbothered sounds like he has something to say and, because of the internet, he can say it … anonymously.

      Report Post »  
  • scrudge
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 9:55am

    Ah Yes…. a memorial for a drugie… what a embarrassment for fLORIDA…. no wonder they tore it down…

    Report Post »  
  • Southernguy
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 9:19am

    There should never have been a memorial to start with.

    Report Post » Southernguy  
    • BOUNCESoff
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 10:00am

      You are either a TROLL or a monster. Both of which are common on the Blaze. You take the easy rode out. A monster, who hates people because of their race, a beast who allows satan to rule over your heart and soul, a hell bound demonic soul, who would rather be consumed by hate and mean spirited ways, learned from either your upbringing or from society, rather than to pray to God for deliverance and a loving kind heart.

      Or you could be a TROLL, who wants to widen the race division. A person who wants to leave inconsiderate comments to rile people up, or to cause people see how racist a person could be. YOU ARE ONE OF THE TWO THAT IS A FACT. And whichever one you are. If you keep it up YOU’RE GONNA BUST HELL WIDE OPEN.

      Report Post » BOUNCESoff  
    • Rodney111
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 8:46pm

      Ooooooo Soooooo true!

      Report Post »  
  • vtech61
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 9:04am

    Anyone else notice that the break ins at the complex have stop? LOL

    Report Post »  
  • USPATRIOT101
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 8:51am

    I figured there would be bongs and burglery tools instead of teddy bears.

    Report Post » USPATRIOT101  
  • TWO BITS
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 8:45am

    If the same confrontation had occured outside a bar after happy hour, it would not have been newsworthy. Sanford officials should be focused on the city’s business, allow the courts to do their job, and lose the tacky, maudlin atmosphere pertaining to this case.

    Report Post » TWO BITS  
  • Carbine
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 8:09am

    The media bias and the continuing whitewash of this punk is amazing. Zimmerman was convicted in the cowardly news media bending to the likes of Tawana Sharpton and other Poverty Pimps like Holder. This punk was nothing but trouble but the media will show pictures of him years ago so he looks like an innocent. His Facebook page and name were only found on the net. Showing them would destroy the clean cut image they were dishonestly trying to portray. This punk finally got what he deserved. The release of the witness names has allowed continual harassment of any favorable witnesses. This example of “justice” is a disgrace. Just one more reason NOT to depend on the justice system for protection.

    Report Post »  
    • Independent4233
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 8:58am

      “This example of “justice” is a disgrace. Just one more reason NOT to depend on the justice system for protection.”

      There could be no better illustration of how the government can railroad a man in a kangaroo court than this.

      And there could be no better example of what a crooked, incompetent judge will do in order to appease the mobs.

      And the prosecutor? Good lord. Is there a better example of such a disgusting human being who has no qualms about persecuting an innocent man and who obviously doesn’t have a conscience?

      Nifong was easily in the same league, but even he never stooped as low as this ugly monster Corey.

      Nifong, Corey, the judiciary in the Tawana Sharpton debacle tell us unequivocally that it’s time to clean house.

      When this failing empire finally falls, public trials need to be held for everyone who do as these miscreants do, plus the ones also in academia and the press who have created an environment where the Nifongs and the Coreys can pursue their underhanded, evil acts of injustice against innocent people all in the name of pollitical correctness.

      Report Post »  
  • davetrav
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:42am

    It’s about time.It was a said thing, but enough is enough. Obama made a big stink abut it, but how many kids die each year due to drugs, street fights, gangs etc. —I blame the parents, and jerks like the black panthers, gangs that lure kids.Obama only used this as a vote getter to the black race as well as other black’s in office do– SHAME ON THEM.

    Report Post »  
  • Taldren
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:42am

    “At some point, you’ve got to give it up and move forward.” … Isn’t that the Obama 2012 slogan?

    Report Post » Taldren  
  • REPUB1
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:26am

    “dismantled a memorial to the slain teen ” Leave It Up to keep the racial FIRES LIT?? that Set-Up Offends Many “Other Peoples”???

    Report Post »  
  • REPUB1
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:20am

    its just that he was in the wrong place at the right time,“ your life is NOT your own” you were Purchased at a Price.

    Report Post »  
  • historyguy48
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:15am

    Comrades this won’t make Jessie Jackson and the other dirt bag very happy. Perhaps they can whip up a riot or something! A few thousand dead whites lying in the streets would probably be proper attonement for realizing that the monument was erected to celebrate a mugger!
    Perhaps our Attorney General should step in and round up all the citizens for re-education.
    Or, is this finished now? It didn’t work so lets try something new. Silly me! That’s in Rules for Radicals!

    Report Post » historyguy48  
  • F.O.S. DIAPERHEAD
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:14am

    People get killed around the country all the time for all kinds of reasons. Many get memorials at the scene for a short period of time. The tragedy of Trayvon’s untimely death and the sorrow surrounding it is no different than in many other -the community grieves then moves on. Outside of that it’s politics. It’s been up for months and is an EYESORE.

    The eyesore will get support by the black community same as Obama’s numerous vacations and lavish spending as it stands as a STICK in the EYE of WHITEY. I can understand the family wanting to make sure that justice is not forgotten but that’s just picking a fight. Put a cross in the front yard and you’ll only p!ss off the athiests. Nowadays they live for a good fight.

    Report Post » F.O.S. DIAPERHEAD  
    • F.O.S. DIAPERHEAD
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:30am

      Right next to it let us put up a memorial for the grave injustices suffered by Zimmerman who was only trying to defend himself and now is the victom of death threats and bounty hunters. I know that may sound mean to some but perhaps it is that justice has already been served. The only guilty party I see so far is the police dept for not bringing up charges on what would obviously be a highly charged case, but that may have just been a error in judgement. ??? Let‘s put all their pictures up there including the ones of Zimmerman’s bleeding skull.

      Report Post » F.O.S. DIAPERHEAD  
  • ADNIL
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:04am

    Those who cannot let go of the wrongs done to them will remain victims (or I might say SLAVES) of the past. Get over it, LEARN by the mistakes made and move on. It was tragic that a young life was cut short but, from what I understand, it was only a matter of time.The big question remains, did anyone learn anything here? If not, then Travon died for nothing and as a result of his foolish mistake of responding with aggression and violence rather than simply going home or, at least, explaining himself politely and with respect.

    Report Post »  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:01am

    We don’t know “quite” what happened yet. Brown against Black. What color gets special privilege?

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 8:59am

      Did you notice how much the furor died down after everyone got a good look at Zimmerman? If he had looked like Richie Cunningham, they would still be marching.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • loriann12
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 6:50am

    Really? Teddy Bears for a 17 year old thug who was in trouble in school? They want the nation to see the little 12 year old innocent boy they keep parading around, and he grew up. I doubt if Trayvon would have even HAD a teddy bear.

    Report Post »  
    • Fubared
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:08am

      The teddy bear was where he kept his bags full of choom. Why aren’t there any B&E tools in the pic?

      Report Post »  
    • 000degrees
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 7:11am

      He did….didn’t you see the one with the gold tooth?

      Report Post »  
    • OhSuzieQ
      Posted on July 11, 2012 at 8:03am

      Really! I’m with you. OMG! Teddy Bears? That’s a joke for sure.

      Report Post » OhSuzieQ  
  • HowardSternIsABigot
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 6:48am

    The posterboy for whitehispanic hate crime gets dissed? what am up wid dat? did they take down the memorial to the hundsreds of dead nationwide from black mob violence? dey better nots.

    Report Post »  
  • Swalker
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 6:44am

    Perhaps they could get La Raza to fund a memorial. Have Holder give a speech and the President place a wreath every year.

    Report Post » Swalker  
  • RepubliCorp
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 6:30am

    Trayvon Martin is yesterdays news until the trial,

    Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • Mapache
    Posted on July 11, 2012 at 6:21am

    I guess we should put up a memorial to everyone who has ever been killed. If we did that, there would be no room to move in Chicago. Of course, the judicial judgement of the case is still pending and only time will tell whether is it determined that Martin was murdered or the victim of a misunderstanding and his own aggressiveness.
    Not everyone who dies, however tragically merits a memorial in the public square. Personal memorials are what cemeteries are for. If a community decides a memorial is warranted they can decide it for themselves.
    Finally, if a bunch of stuffed animals and some laminated photos is the best memorial that could be mustered, maybe those that want a memorial need to go back to the drawing board.

    Report Post » Mapache  
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