Participant at the Justice for Trayvon Martin rally at the Federal Court House in downtown Detroit. The event was part of national demonstrations in over 100 cities, a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
July 20, 2013 at 3:18 pm
Detroit joins nation in rally for Trayvon Martin
Lauren Abdel-Razzaq
The Detroit News
Detroit — Thousands of Metro Detroit residents took to the street Saturday to call for justice for slain Fla. teen Trayvon Martin.
“I don’t believe there is justice for Trayvon,” said Karis Carr, of Detroit, who said she is worried about the world her six year old son will grow up in. “I hope that Zimmerman is convicted and all the Zimmermans around the world.”
The rally in Detroit blocked off Fort Street as thousands came out to show their support for Martin. The National Action Network, founded by civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, is holding rallies in 100 cities across the country to protest the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial. Zimmerman was acquitted by a Florida jury of manslaughter and murder charges in the death of the 17-year-old.
Another protest is taking place in Flint at the Department of Justice office there.
Rev. Charles Williams II, head of the National Action Network in Detroit, urged the crowd to stand up and fight back for their rights.
“The states turned down justice in Sanford, Florida and let a killer go free,” said Williams. “We are here to ask the federal government for justice for Trayvon.”
He continued, “And until we get justice, there will be...”
“No peace,” the crowd chanted back.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has said the Justice Department has an open investigation into the case. The department is looking into whether Zimmerman violated Martin’s civil rights.
Redford resident Judy Neal said the verdict reflects the policies of the country.
“When I stepped back and took count of it, I recognized it is the system,” she said. “And it’s up to us to step up and change the system.”
On Friday, President Barack Obama said the nation needs to do some “soul-searching,” look for ways to bolster African-American boys and examine state and local laws to see if they encourage confrontations like the one in Florida.
Detroiter Vanita Pritchett-Miller came to the rally with her daughter Hannah Miller, 12, niece Nstajah Banks, 11, and nephew Jordan Banks, 12. The children held signs with photos of local children who have been killed in violent acts.
“It’s for all the black kids getting killed,” said Jordan Banks, of the reason he wanted to rally.
“It’s not just Trayvon Martin, there are other kids that have lost their lives right here in the city,” said his aunt. “We can’t just wait for one incident to happen to rally everyone together.”
lrazzaq@detroitnews.com
(313) 222-2127
AP contributed
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130720/METRO01/307200039#ixzz2Zdsbbmgz
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