Hundreds Take Part In 'Justice For Trayvon' Rally Downtown
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Hundreds of supporters of Trayvon Martin gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday to protest the not-guilty verdict of George Zimmerman.
Chanting "no justice, no peace," demonstrators at the "Justice for Trayvon" vigil called for civil rights charges to be filed against Zimmerman, who was acquitted by a Florida jury in the fatal shooting of the unarmed teen.
The peaceful demonstration started on the steps of the federal courthouse building on Spring Street, according to KNX 1070's Ed Mertz.
Hundreds Take Part In 'Justice For Trayvon' Rally Downtown
By 10:30 a.m., protesters dispersed.
Many headed for Los Angeles City Hall for a second demonstration scheduled for noon in the plaza while others began marching.
LAPD's Media Relations section says one group headed westbound on Wilshire Boulevard and a second was traveling northbound on Coronado and 6th streets.
Similar demonstrations organized by the National Action Network were being held in scores of cities across the nation on Saturday, including Miami and Indianapolis. Organizers of today's rallies tried to hold events across 100 cities in a show of solidarity.
The vigil follows a week of demonstrations across the Southland and nation following Zimmerman's verdict.
Martin was 17 at the time of his death. He was fatally shot on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida.
CBS2's Art Barron reported from an annual Peace March -- organized by the Greater Zion Church -- which doubled as a rally for Trayvon Martin.
"We stand in solidarity with all the marches that are happening at this exact same time all across the country," said Pastor Michael J.T. Fisher.
Young church member Miyahna Depillars was also on hand to honor Oscar Duncan, the church's youth pastor, who was gunned down last year outside his grandmother's house in Venice.
"My stepdad got shot, Oscar Duncan. And Trayvon Martin ... he was too young to die. So was Oscar," said Depillars.
