Rallies Mark One Month Anniversary Of Trayvon Martin's Death
SANFORD (CBSMiami) – Dozens of rallies are planned across the state on Monday to mark the one month anniversary of death of 17-year old Trayvon Martin.
Martin was gunned down February 26th while walking a gated Sanford community by self-appointed Neighborhood Watch captain George Zimmerman who claimed he shot the teen in self-defense. Martin was unarmed when he died; he was wearing a hoodie and carrying a bag of Skittles and can of iced tea. Investigators said Zimmerman thought he looked suspicious.
Citing the "Stand Your Ground" law, police did charge Zimmerman in the shooting which sparked outrage and cries for justice across the nation.
On Monday, Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, will march join a march at 4 p.m. in Sanford. In the last month, they've collected more than two million signatures on their Change.org petition which calls for Zimmerman. Thousands of people from across the state are expected to take part in this march to demand that charges be filed against Zimmerman.
A grand jury will be convened April 10 to consider whether to bring state charges, which could include second-degree murder or manslaughter. The Justice Department's civil rights division and the FBI have also launched their own investigation into the shooting.
At noon, Martin's parents will attend a Community Forum at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Eatonville before attending the "justice rally." Students at Florida State University and Florida A&M University plan a similar rally at 4 p.m. in Tallahassee where they will march to the Old Capitol building where they will stand in solidarity with Martin's parents in their call for justice.
The calls for justice extend beyond Florida's state line.
Three prominent New York legislators wearing "hoodies" plan to lead other black lawmakers into the Senate chamber to protest the shooting. State Sens. Eric Adams, Bill Perkins and Kevin Parker of New York City plan to wear hooded sweatshirts into the chamber Monday afternoon to express their outrage of the shooting of Martin.
In Baltimore, that city's NAACP branch and other groups plan to rally the downtown area at 5 p.m.
In Georgia, Activists are planning to rally at the steps of the Georgia statehouse.
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