Small Sacramento Group Bears Rain For 'National Hoodie Day' Rally
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Activists were holding "hoodie rallies" across the country Tuesday, including in Sacramento, in support of slain Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.
Organizers for the rally at the state Capitol didn't have the turnout they were hoping for, but they say this hasn't muted the message that they're fighting for, that they find justice for Martin.
"The rain won't stop us 'cause we need justice," they chanted.
The rain didn't stop this small group of protesters, but organizers think it kept a lot of people away from participating.
"I was hoping to see hundreds, but like I said, probably the weather played a lot into it," organizer Brother Carter said. "People are going to school, it's in the middle of the week.
Those who braved the light drizzle were vocal during their march from Southside Park to 13th and K streets.
The march and rally are part of "National Hoodie Day" in honor of Martin, shot and killed by the self-appointed Neighborhood Watch captain George Zimmerman, who has not been arrested after shooting Martin to death in what he said was self-defense back in February.
Martin was wearing a hoodie and carrying a can of iced tea and a bag of Skittles candy when he was shot to death on a Florida street near his father's house.
"We are really trying to send a message for social justice," Carrie Gray said. "Not just for a particular race but for the human race.
Gary Shumlai thought the day was important enough to pull his 15-year-old daughter out of school
"This could have happened to my child," he said.
While organizers say the small Sacramento turnout does not reflect on the strength of the movement, some question why more people didn't show up.
"We need more of us to participate in what we want and think are the things we are trying to change," Henry Green said.
Still, people involved in Tuesday's rally say they're going to continue to speak out until George Zimmerman is arrested and brought to trial.
