Trayvon Martin story strikes a chord with Delaware State students

When the murder of 17 year-old Trayvon Martin made headlines, the news struck people all across the country. Now Delaware State University students are letting their feelings be known as well.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at Delaware State University, organized “A Mile In The Hood” Monday night. It was billed as a campus walk for Trayvon Martin. They asked that all participants wear hoodies to represent what Trayvon wore the night he was shot and killed by neighborhood watch organizer George Zimmerman. The February shooting has sparked outrage in Florida where the incident took place and around the country.

The students gathered at the plot, an area where fraternities and sororities on campus hold activities and organizers reminded the 40-50 students why they had all come together. That was followed with a moment of silence. As the students began the one mile walk around the campus, they encouraged and invited bystanders to walk along with them.

“The walk was for this Trayvon Martin case, we decided to show support,” said Akeem Cobb, member of Kappa Alpha Psi and co-organizer of the walk.  “Everybody wears hoodies to show that everybody’s a suspect, anybody can be a target.”

Many of the students had similar opinions. “I think it’s a beautiful thing seeing people, especially African American people come together to support a good cause,” says Shahida Santiago, a DSU senior.  “As far as ‘A Mile in the Hood’ march with the Kappas at Delaware State, I feel like it’s a good thing. The turn-out was good, however I feel it could have been a better turn-out. But it’s always a good turn-out when people show up.”

“I thought the walk was good and I’m glad an organization wanted to show their support here on campus,” added DSU junior Gianni Harris.  “However, I feel that SGA should have stepped up and more people would have come out, but I was satisfied with the number of people who did.” She also said she appreciates the show of support around the country.

Cobb says, “For [Zimmerman] not to go to jail at all, that’s crazy. The biggest fact is that he didn’t get in trouble as if it is okay.”

The DSU march follows a similar hoodie protest Friday at William Penn High School in New Castle.