Black Lives Matter: The Lost Life Of Trayvon Martin

Hoodies & Skittles Became Protest Symbols

Photo: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Martin’s mother created a petition for Zimmerman’s arrest, and over 2 million people signed it, making it Change.org’s largest petition in its history. Martin died wearing a hoodie, so many embraced the article of clothing as a symbol of the case. Several professional athletes, including Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James wore hoodies to pay tribute to the teen. At 7-Eleven Martin reportedly bought Skittles and Arizona Iced Tea, so they too were used as protest symbols. Several teens at Florida high schools staged walkouts, and people around the nation attended rallies calling for Zimmerman’s arrest.