Celebrities Lend Their Support To National Action Network
July 20th, 2013 Atlanta, Georgia-
Even through rainy conditions in the south and extremely hot conditions on the east coast, the rallies ended up with thousands of people showing their support.
In Atlanta, actress Lynn Whitfield showed her support while Beyoncé, Jay Z and Tina Knowles showed theirs in New York.
There are many more rallies and plans in the works as local and national leaders vow to use this unfortunate incident as a way to effect change in not only in the black community but around the nation as a whole.
The Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network organized "Justice for Trayvon" rallies nationwide to press for federal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman, who was found not guilty in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.
On Friday American President Barack Obama warned the public against violence while protesting.
He agreed that “There is a history of racial disparities in the application of our criminal laws,” and that “If a white male teen was involved in the same kind of scenario ... both the outcome and the aftermath might have been different.”
“Trayvon Martin could have been me, 35 years ago,” Obama said.
 |
| Atlanta convener, Rev. Markel Hutchens speaks to the crowd through the downpour of rain. |
From coast to coast, people have been out all Saturday afternoon to join the National Action Network’s Justice for Trayvon” National Action Day of Vigils.
The vigils, held at noon, went from coast to coast and were held to press the federal government to charge George Zimmerman with civil charges in the death of 17 year old Trayvon Martin.
Trayvon Martin was shot dead over a year ago by Zimmerman, who claimed he acted in self-defense. The prosecution argued that Zimmerman was guilty of second-degree murder, stating that he racially profiled the unarmed teen and assumed he was a criminal when he saw him walking through a gated community in Sanford, Florida. They further claimed that Zimmerman tracked the teenager down and started the fight that led to the shooting.
Trayvon Martin was shot dead over a year ago by Zimmerman, who claimed he acted in self-defense. The prosecution argued that Zimmerman was guilty of second-degree murder, stating that he racially profiled the unarmed teen and assumed he was a criminal when he saw him walking through a gated community in Sanford, Florida. They further claimed that Zimmerman tracked the teenager down and started the fight that led to the shooting.
On July 13, Zimmerman, whose voter registration record listed him as Hispanic, was acquitted of all charges relating to the fatal shooting of the black teen by a panel of six women jurors. The former neighborhood watch volunteer could have been sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder or up to 30 years for manslaughter if he was found guilty.
Zimmerman’s acquittal sparked nationwide protests last weekend as thousands took to the streets in major American cities protesting against the verdict and related issues regarding race, profiling and vigilantism.
Federal prosecutors are pursuing an investigation into whether Zimmerman violated civil rights laws, but civil rights experts doubt new charges are likely.
The Atlanta “Justice For Trayvon” 100 City Vigil was held outside the Richard B. Russell Federal Building. Civil rights activist Rev. Markel Hutchins was the organizer for the vigil. Dr. Robert M. Franklin (former president of Morehouse College), State Representative “Able” Mable Thomas, and other civil rights leaders and activists were in attendance and spoke to the engaged crowd about why justice was needed for the senseless killing of Trayvon Martin.
Thousands of people were on hand to raise their voices and “stand their ground” against injustice. Even through hard downpours of rain, the crowd remained unmoved and attentive, and continued to listen to the speakers, hold their signs of protest up high and chant for justice.
Zimmerman’s acquittal sparked nationwide protests last weekend as thousands took to the streets in major American cities protesting against the verdict and related issues regarding race, profiling and vigilantism.
Federal prosecutors are pursuing an investigation into whether Zimmerman violated civil rights laws, but civil rights experts doubt new charges are likely.
The Atlanta “Justice For Trayvon” 100 City Vigil was held outside the Richard B. Russell Federal Building. Civil rights activist Rev. Markel Hutchins was the organizer for the vigil. Dr. Robert M. Franklin (former president of Morehouse College), State Representative “Able” Mable Thomas, and other civil rights leaders and activists were in attendance and spoke to the engaged crowd about why justice was needed for the senseless killing of Trayvon Martin.
Thousands of people were on hand to raise their voices and “stand their ground” against injustice. Even through hard downpours of rain, the crowd remained unmoved and attentive, and continued to listen to the speakers, hold their signs of protest up high and chant for justice.
Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, Pastor, Ebenezer B.C engaged the crown by making reference to a bag of skittles and asking everyone to "Taste the Rainbow".
Trayvon’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, was in New York at the rally while his dad, Tracy Martin, was in Florida at the Miami rally. They both addressed the crowd and thanked everyone for their support. A video clip was captured by NBC News: -
Trayvon’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, was in New York at the rally while his dad, Tracy Martin, was in Florida at the Miami rally. They both addressed the crowd and thanked everyone for their support. A video clip was captured by NBC News: -
Even through rainy conditions in the south and extremely hot conditions on the east coast, the rallies ended up with thousands of people showing their support.
In Atlanta, actress Lynn Whitfield showed her support while Beyoncé, Jay Z and Tina Knowles showed theirs in New York.There are many more rallies and plans in the works as local and national leaders vow to use this unfortunate incident as a way to effect change in not only in the black community but around the nation as a whole.
The Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network organized "Justice for Trayvon" rallies nationwide to press for federal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman, who was found not guilty in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.
On Friday American President Barack Obama warned the public against violence while protesting.
He agreed that “There is a history of racial disparities in the application of our criminal laws,” and that “If a white male teen was involved in the same kind of scenario ... both the outcome and the aftermath might have been different.”
“Trayvon Martin could have been me, 35 years ago,” Obama said.
 |
| Florida college students rallied outside the the Seminole County criminal courts building |
 |
| Rev. Al Sharpton Rallied in New York with Trayvon Martin's mother (Lft). |
 |
| Rev. Bernice King, Radio personality/entrepreneur Frank Ski, V-103 radio personality DJ Greg Street |
 |
| Martin L King III |
 |
| Actress Lynn Whitfield and V-103 radio personality Big Tigger |
 |
| Jessie Jackson, Rev. Sharpton and president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Benjamin Jealous. |
Comments
Post a Comment