Thousands gathered tonight at a rally in Sanford to demand justice for Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old unarmed black teen who was shot and killed by a self-appointed neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman, nearly four weeks ago.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights activist and host of MSNBC ‘Politics Nation’ told the crowd of nearly 30,000 people, if there is no justice, there will be no peace.
“This young man, Trayvon, could have been everyone of us,” he said. “Trayvon represents a reckless disregard for our lives that we have seen too long and we have come to tell you tonight, enough is enough. We are tired of going to jail for nothing.”
Sharpton said there was probable cause to arrest Zimmerman the very night he shot and killed Trayvon. “You cannot defend yourself against Skittles and iced tea,” he said.
Martin, who was shot and killed on February 26, as he returned from a nearby convenience store, was found with candy and a bottle of iced tea.
Zimmerman, who confessed to killing, has not yet been charged. He has claimed self-defense, although 911 tapes on the night of the shooting clearly point in a different direction.
Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon’s mother and his father, Tracy Martin, also addressed the rally.
“My heart hurts for my son,” said Fulton. “Trayvon was my son, your son and we want justice for him.”
On Thursday afternoon, Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee, announced he was temporarily stepping aside. Fulton said tonight that Lee ought to remove himself permanently.
“Trayvon didn’t deserve to die and I pledge that he would not die in vain,” said Martin. “We will make sure that George Zimmerman pays for what he did.”
In related developments, and with all eyes on him, Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced late on Thursday that he is appointing an outside prosecutor, Angela Corey, of Florida’s 4th District, to take over the Martin shooting case.
Scott also announced that he is appointing a task force to be headed by Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, to review the controversial ‘Stand Your Ground’ law. The panel will hold hearings, take testimony and make recommendations.
Tonight’s rally at Fort Mellon Park, drew leading civil rights leaders and social activists from across the country including, comedian Dick Gregory, NAACP president Ben Jealous, Martin Luther King, Jr. III, Judge Greg Mathis of the syndicated television show with the same name, former New Jersey Governor, David Patterson, Mark Thompson, host of ‘Make it Plain’ on Sirius Radio and Joe Madison, also of Sirius Radio, U.S. Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-FL), and U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL), among others.
