Page 31 - ARUBA TODAY

PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 6 February 2017
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Trayvon Martin’s parents write book on 5-year anniversary

ERRIN HAINES WHACK something about it. ... It have added to their grief.
Associated Press stayed fresh,” he said. But comforting other par-
It wasn’t supposed to take Trayvon Martin, shot to ents has helped them heal.
Sybrina Fulton and Tracy death by neighborhood Having a black president
Martin five years to write a watchman George Zim- who identified with their son
book about the death of merman in a gated com- from a podium in the White
their son, Trayvon Martin. munity in the central Florida House also “went a long
But their grief has made suburb of Sanford weeks way,” Tracy Martin said. “It
finding the words unbear- after his 17th birthday on meant a great deal for the
able until now. Feb. 26, 2012, became a most influential and most
Martin’s parents collabo- rallying cry for millions of admired president that this
rated to write “Rest In black Americans seeking country has ever seen men-
Power: The Enduring Life of justice for the fatal shooting tion our son,” he said. “This
Trayvon Martin,” published of an unarmed black teen. new administration ... you
Tuesday by Spiegel & Grau. Trayvon Martin would have would hope they would
The book recounts the jour- been 22 on Sunday. have compassion for fami- In this July 26, 2013, file photo, Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon
ney of two grieving parents, His case — propelled by na- lies who are losing children Martin, holds up a card with a photo of her son as she speaks at
thrust into the spotlight by tional news reports and so- to gun violence.” The fam- the National Urban League’s annual conference in Philadelphia.
Associated Pressr
tragedy and on some days, cial media — was the pre- ily, which has a foundation
still as close to their loss as decessor to the Black Lives in Trayvon’s name, has not exploring public office, marking his birthday with
the day he died. Matter movement that reached out to President though they have not de- a peace walk on Feb. 11.
“The calendar says five came in response to similar Donald Trump, but is open cided what they would run Sybrina Fulton said she
years, but it seems like just a killings, mostly by white po- to working with the admin- for. “We’ve been research- doesn’t observe her son’s
few months,” Sybrina Fulton lice officers in cities nation- istration in their efforts, Tra- ing it, talking about it, trying death, but chooses to cel-
said in an interview with The wide. Trayvon Martin’s killer, cy Martin said. to see what’s available,” ebrate his life. “It speaks to
Associated Press. “I know who was not initially arrest- Sybrina Fulton campaigned she said, adding that they what he was doing: Walk-
that we’re still healing.” ed, was later acquitted of frequently for Hillary Clinton would likely start at the lo- ing home, in peace,” she
Writing the book wasn’t a murder by a jury, further last year, along with other cal level in their community said. “He wasn’t allowed
healing experience, but it inflaming racial tensions. black mothers who had lost in Miami. “We know that the opportunity to do that.
was therapeutic to know Martin’s parents say the their children to gun vio- if we want change, we The message we have is
that writing it might help shooting deaths of Michael lence. She said that the ex- have to be a part of that that we want our young
others, Tracy Martin said. Brown in Ferguson, Tamir perience reinforced what change.” people to know that they
“It was hard because we Rice in Cleveland, Walter she and Tracy Martin be- The Trayvon Martin Foun- have the right to walk in
relived this every time we Scott in North Charleston, lieved they should be do- dation, based at Florida peace ... without being
had to go back and write South Carolina, and others, ing, and that both are now Memorial University, is murdered.”q

American Humane: Third-party report clears ‘A Dog’s Purpose’

LYNN ELBER responsible, he said. dling of the dog in the first
AP Television Writer The video had an immedi- scene in the video should
LOS ANGELES (AP) — ate impact on “A Dog’s have been gentler and
Leaked video showing Purpose,” starring Dennis signs of stress recognized
a frightened dog being Quaid and featuring Josh earlier.”
forced into churning water Gads’ voice, as a planned “That being said, it is impor-
during filming of “A Dog’s press day and starry pre- tant to note that this was
Purpose” was misleadingly miere were canceled. But recognized and the scene
edited and the German producer Amblin Entertain- did not proceed as insinu-
shepherd was unharmed, ment and distributor Univer- ated by the misleadingly
according to third-party sal Pictures stuck to plans edited video,” the group
findings released by Ameri- to release the PG-rated film added.
can Humane, the group a week ago in more than The dog was immediately
responsible for overseeing 3,000 North American the- taken to a warming tent,
animal safety on the movie aters. an examination found no
set. This image released by Universal studios shows Peggy Lipton Despite the controversy, signs of stress, and the dog
An independent animal- in a scene from “A Dog’s Purpose.” the feel-good film that had later was returned to film-
cruelty expert found that Associated Press been pegged to open in ing, it said.
preventative safety mea- events. stoking outrage. In fact, the the mid-$20-million range The on-set representative,
sures were in place to pro- “The decisions by the indi- two scenes shown in the still managed to earn an who American Humane
tect the dog, Hercules, vidual or individuals who edited video were filmed estimated $18.4 million said was joined by three
American Humane said. captured and deliberately at different times,” the and place second at the trainers, a safety coordina-
The board-certified vet- edited the footage, and group said in reporting the box office, behind “Split.” tor and a water safety diver
erinarian, who was not then waited longer than 15 findings. Studio representatives said throughout the scene, was
identified, concluded that months to release the ma- That conclusion was based that was in line with their suspended after the vid-
the dog was momentarily nipulated video only days on viewing unedited foot- hopes. eo’s release.
stressed but suffered no before the movie’s pre- age from the set and on Amblin Entertainment and Lisa Lange, senior vice pres-
lasting ill effects. miere, raise serious ques- eyewitness accounts, Universal Pictures declined ident for the animal rights
The group said the outside tions about their motives group spokesman Mark comment on the report group PETA, called the re-
expert, whose name was and ethics,” American Hu- Stubis said Saturday. Who Saturday. port’s findings incomplete
withheld because of the mane said Friday. may have leaked the vid- American Humane, which and said the video still
public outcry following the “The video was deliberate- eo wasn’t addressed in the had an animal safety rep- shows “a frightened dog
video’s release, found it to ly edited for the purpose of report, and American Hu- resentative on the set, ac- who did not wish to go into
be a misrepresentation of misleading the public and mane doesn’t know who is knowledged that “the han- the water.”q