Michael Brown Shooting: Trayvon Martin's Mother Writes Letter To Victim's Family

Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, penned a letter to Michael Brown’s family after the unarmed teen was gunned down in Ferguson, Missouri, by Police Officer Darren Wilson. His death has spurred widespread protests in the days since his fatal shooting and garnered national attention. Fulton wrote Brown family members have now joined the exclusive group of those “who have lost loved ones to senseless gun violence.”

"I hate that you and your family must join this exclusive yet growing group of parents and relatives who have lost loved ones to senseless gun violence," Fulton wrote. "Further complicating the pain and loss in this tragedy is the fact that the killer of your son is alive, known, and currently free."

Fulton said their lives will be “forever changed” since their loved one’s death. "Long after the overwhelming media attention is gone, you will need … to find your 'new normal.'" She assured the Brown family there will be an outpouring of love and sympathy to combat the abuse to come.

To deal with the “character assassination” that often comes with young shooting victims, Fulton shared: "I have always said that Trayvon was not perfect. But no one will ever convince me that my son deserved to be stalked and murdered. No one can convince you that Michael deserved to be executed."

Martin’s mother finished the letter with optimism and said neither Brown's nor her son’s lives were taken in vain. "The galvanizations of our communities must be continued beyond the tragedies," she wrote. "If they refuse to hear us, we will make them feel us."

Some have compared Mike Brown’s death to that of Trayvon Martin since both were black teenagers and unarmed when they were shot and killed. There were also rumors Brown reached for Wilson’s gun, the same claim made by George Zimmerman regarding Martin.

Differences lie in the way law enforcement responded. Zimmerman wasn’t charged until 46 days after the incident. Two days after Brown was killed, Wilson was placed on administrative leave and the FBI began reviewing the case. While Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch volunteer, Wilson is a member of the Ferguson Police Department.

[The full letter can be read here, courtesy of Time magazine]

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