Across US, people rally for 'Justice for Trayvon'

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

ATLANTA (AP) — Crowds chanted "Justice! Justice!" as they rallied in dozens of U.S. cities Saturday, urging authorities to change self-defense laws and press federal civil rights charges against a former neighborhood watch leader found not guilty in the shooting death of unarmed teen Trayvon Martin.

The Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network organized the "Justice for Trayvon" rallies and vigils outside federal buildings in at least 101 cities one week after a jury delivered the verdict for George Zimmerman in Martin's 2012 death in a gated central Florida community.

"No justice! No peace!" participants chanted. Some sang hymns, prayed and held hands. Many held signs — in Los Angeles, one read, "This is Amerikkka: From Dred Scott to Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin, black people have no rights that white people are bound to respect."

In Atlanta, speakers noted that the rally took place in the shadows of federal buildings named for two figures who had vastly differing views on civil rights and racial equality: Richard B. Russell was a Georgia governor and U.S. senator elected in the Jim Crow South; the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is the face of African-Americans' civil rights movement.

"What's so frightening about a black man in a hood?" said the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who now occupies the pulpit at King's Ebenezer Baptist Church.

In New York, hundreds of people — including Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton, and music superstars Jay-Z and Beyonce — gathered in the heat.

Fulton told the crowd she was determined to fight for changes needed to ensure that black youths are no longer viewed with suspicion because of their skin color.

"I promise you I'm going to work for your children as well," she told the crowd.

Earlier Saturday, at Sharpton's headquarters in Harlem, she implored people to understand that the tragedy involved more than Martin alone. "Today it was my son. Tomorrow it might be yours," she said.

In Miami, Tracy Martin spoke about his son.

"This could be any one of our children," he said. "Our mission now is to make sure that this doesn't happen to your child."

He recalled a promise he made to his son as he lay in his casket. "I will continue to fight for Trayvon until the day I die," he said.

Shantescia Hill held a sign in Miami that read: "Every person deserves a safe walk home." The 31-year-old mother, who is black, said, "I'm here because our children can't even walk on the streets without fearing for their lives."

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20130720/US--Neighborhood.Watch-Rallies/

Momentum.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Momentum.

Honor TM. Honor the 11,00 dead Black people killed by black people since TM was killed.

Stop the violence.

[slim 1,533]

Wonder when they'll post the real numbers on these rallies. Most of the ones I saw were pretty sparsely attended. Group shots tried pretty hard to make it look packed but the same people were in most of the photos.

Whoops.

[Karee 4,191]

Momentum.

Just shows how dumb and gullible the population is. I bet 98% of them don't even know the facts of the case.

[Karee 4,191]

Newflash!!! Trayvon is dead. He's not getting any justice. He's not getting anything for that matter.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Trayvon's death is putting the focus back on blacks. Gays have stolen the civil rights spotlight for the last decade, and now that they are accepted into society as cool and equal people, the blacks all want their chance, before all the Mexicans start taking to the streets. Blacks and gays are about the same percentage of the population, but gays have more money. A lot more money. Mexicans have more numbers. A lot more numbers. Blacks are screwed, but they keep trying. Gotta love their persistence.

Edited July 22, 2013 by The Patriot

[Karee 4,191]

Trayvon's death is putting the focus back on blacks. Gays have stolen the civil rights spotlight for the last decade, and now that they are accepted into society as cool and equal people, the blacks all want their chance, before all the Mexicans start taking to the streets. Blacks and gays are about the same percentage of the population, but gays have more money. A lot more money. Mexicans have more numbers. A lot more numbers. Blacks are screwed, but they keep trying. Gotta love their persistence.

Persistence maybe. I'd say they hitched their wagon to the wrong horse on this one though. I'd like to think there's enough intelligent people out there that realize kicking up a storm over this particular case ruins their credibility. Although, all the attention this case has received would indicate I'm probably wrong.

[X Factor 1,112]

TM mother seems to be a well educated peace loving woman. She strongly encouraged the crowd to protest but in a peaceful way

[lostinblue 1,989]

Blacks will be screwed... Tens of millions of hispanics will suck up all the jobs leaving the high school dropouts (at what about 70 % for black males)to wallow in poverty for generations to come,

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Blacks will be screwed... Tens of millions of hispanics will suck up all the jobs leaving the high school dropouts (at what about 70 % for black males)to wallow in poverty for generations to come,

That pleases you why?

[GandD 5,966]

That pleases you why?

Bingo

[GandD 5,966]

So really guys, what this is really about is that TM was profiled for being a criminal when he wasn't doing anything illegal. Say what you want about TM and his past. Blacks have been profiled and it has affected their lives and the ones they care about. They're sick of it. How can you blame them? I don't understand why this trial has to make things worse. We're all humans and we're all just trying to live our lives. Your hatred towards others is never constructive. Lets use this as an opportunity to come together.

[lostinblue 1,989]

You are the one who desires open borders. I say send all the illegals back. I am just realistic as to what the situation will be for the uneducated workforce in America. Why should I be happy over generations of nonproductive Americans draining the country dry. I wish every black person had a good job but if you cannot even do basic math where are you going...In china that same person would be handed a broom to sweep the street,,,, Don't see that happening here,

[Karee 4,191]

So really guys, what this is really about is that TM was profiled for being a criminal when he wasn't doing anything illegal. Say what you want about TM and his past. Blacks have been profiled and it has affected their lives and the ones they care about. They're sick of it. How can you blame them? I don't understand why this trial has to make things worse. We're all humans and we're all just trying to live our lives. Your hatred towards others is never constructive. Lets use this as an opportunity to come together.

That sounds all well and good. But once again (as seems to happen around here alot for some reason) you left out the part about TM kicking GZ's a$$. That's why all this justice for Trayvon stuff is a farce IMO.

Instead of expending all this energy on rallies, how about taking the time to teach your children that if you think someone is following you, it's a bad idea to jump on them and beat the $hit out of them. That will save more lives than any laws. Maybe TM's parents should use this opportunity to carry THAT message.

[Darnell 8,479]

Happy Saturday Rallies, Y'all !

Wasn't it fun?