Over one thousand protestors took to the streets in Sanford, Florida to call for the arrest of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman killed Martin who was walking home to his father's fiancee's home after visiting a local convenience store. Zimmerman claims that Martin attacked him and he was simply using self-defense, while others believe Zimmerman, of Hispanic origin, targeted Martin because he was a young, black male wearing a hoodie in the neighborhood. Zimmerman has still not been arrested for the murder (Castellanos). .
The NAACP organized the march, which began in a predominantly black neighborhood and ended at the Sanford police headquarters. Protestors chanted, "We want an arrest. Shot in the chest." Many wore hoodies, which have been worn by many leaders in support of Martin (Castellanos). .
"This case was mishandled from the start, and all evidence shows that George Zimmerman should be arrested. Today, the NAACP sent that message loud and clear," said NAACP Seminole County President Turner Clayton.
Civil rights activist Al Sharpton also participated in the march and addressed the crowd. "We live in the middle of an American paradox. We can put a black man in the White House, but we cannot walk a black child through a gated neighborhood. We are not selling out, bowing out, or backing down until there is justice for Trayvon" (The Guardian). .
Another civil rights leader, Jesse Jackson, agreed, "This is not about a hoodie, it's about racial profiling. We will use our marching feet, civil disobedience and every weapon in our non-violent arsenal until justice is served" (The Guardian). .
The case has taken on racial overtones and ignited debates around the nation. Originally, Zimmerman was highlighted as a white male, although his family has since come forth and said that he has a Hispanic parent so he is not guilty of racism (Castellanos).