LITTLE ROCK — The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives honored civil-rights activists with Arkansas ties Tuesday morning during its awards breakfast.
Former Little Rock Mayor Lottie Shackelford; former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jocelyn Elders; Elizabeth Eckford, one of the original Little Rock Nine; William "Sonny" Walker, the first black man to hold a cabinet position in Arkansas and a part of the first father and son duo to have served at the state Capitol; and former NFL player and Little Rock native Keith Jackson were honored with awards acknowledging their work in civil rights across the nation.
Members of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives also heard Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of Trayvon Martin, speak about their son and the impact that his death has on the black community. The unarmed 17-year-old was shot and killed in February by Florida neighborhood-watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who has been charged with second-degree murder.
"I simply want to thank you for standing up for my son," Fulton said to the crowd as it applauded.
Brenda Goss Andrews, the organization's chairman, served as master of ceremonies at the breakfast and the awards ceremony.
Every person presented with awards expressed his gratitude to the organization for honoring him.
Walker and Eckford received awards for their legacies in the civil-rights movement and the black community. Eckford shared stories of her first day at Little Rock's Central High School and the obstacles she had to overcome as one of the first nine black children to attend.
Read more about this story in tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat Gazette.