Tacoma student holds news conference for Florida cousin

TACOMA, Wash. — A Tacoma high school student held a news conference Friday afternoon for his Florida teen cousin who was shot and killed in February.

Cedric President-Turner, 18, asked the Tacoma School District to help him get out his message of support for Trayvon Martin.

Martin was the 17-year-old boy who was shot and killed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who thought Martin was suspicious. Martin was wearing a hooded sweatshirt. Martin and Zimmerman had a confrontation, and Zimmerman shot Martin to death. Zimmerman claimed he shot Martin as self-defense.

President-Turner, a senior at Foster High School, spoke at the Tacoma School District’s headquarters, and said he was overwhelmed by media requests and had the news conference because he wanted everyone to know that Martin didn’t deserve to die.

“My cousin could have contributed immensely to this country,” President-Turner said. “But we will never know the depth of this greatness because of Zimmerman’s irrational actions toward my cousin, Trayvon Martin.”

President-Turner reminisced and said he used to spend his summers in Florida with Martin and ride dirt bikes. He also said Martin was a normal, happy teenager.

“Everytime I saw him, he was always smiling,” said President-Turner. “He was a loving kid, and I loved him.”

A rally in Tacoma will be held Saturday starting at 11 a.m. for Martin, and President-Turner urges supporters to attend for his cousin. The rally will show support and demand for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Zimmerman.

The rally will be at Tacoma’s People’s Park on Martin Luther King Junior Way and South 9th Street.

Those attending are asked to wear hoodies in support of Martin because he was wearing one when he was killed.

“I pray, I pray deeply that it is not your loved one who is harmed next,” said President-Turner.

KIRO