Daniel Maree, 'Million Hoodies' Creator, Reacts To Zimmerman Charges

1 year ago

Organizer hopes the movement continues to inspire conversation about racial profiling and injustice

It’s been nearly a month since 24-year-old Daniel Maree organized New York City’s Million Hoodies March – which amplified a national outcry for justice in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

Maree's organizing caught the attention of Martin’s parents, who flew to New York to greet supporters at the rally .

This week, Martin’s confessed killer, George Zimmerman, learned he would face a second-degree murder charge. Maree doesn’t see this milestone as a reason to pull back on discussions of the peripheral issues interlaced with the tragedy.

Racial profiling and the laws that may delay justice, particularly “Stand Your Ground,” have become the focus of many groups, who are partnering with Maree’s cause. He’s partnered, most notably, with the Martin family’s foundation.

[GET THE LATEST IN THE TRAYVON MARTIN CASE]

Loop 21 caught up with Maree, just as he stepped off a plane to Washington and into the press conference, where Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin’s parents reacted to the news of charges.

Loop 21: I have to say, I didn’t expect to hear you were in Washington when I called you…especially not at the National Action Network convention with Trayon’s parents.

Daniel Maree: It was great to see.

Loop 21: And you, like anyone else plugged in to social media, learned of George Zimmerman’s arrest and charges in real time. What are your thoughts?

DM: I think it’s a first step in the right direction. I’m definitely happy with the decision that was made (Wednesday). We definitely want to see a conviction come out of it. In addition to that, we want to address the policies, the legislation, and the institutions that are perpetuating racial profiling in the country and that have allowed for situations like this to occur.

Loop 21: The last time we spoke you were organizing the Million Hoodies March, and from there it seemed to take off to a level that maybe you didn’t even anticipate.