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Photos, Video: Million Hoodie March For Trayvon Martin Underway At Union Square
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 21, 2012
Modified Mar 22, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 21, 2012
Modified Mar 22, 2012
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Less than 24 hours after the police forced OWS protesters, a large group of protesters has convened at Union Square once again. This time, it's to protest the senseless death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin and show support for his family. Martin was fatally shot by a gated community neighborhood watch volunteer, who thought the 18-year-old was "suspicious" and armed, but it turned out that Martin was only carrying Skittles and iced tea while on his way to his father's girlfriend's home.
The neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, hasn't been charged yet, and Martin's family and many others have called for his prosecution. The Justice Department is investigating, but it's unclear if charges will be possible, given Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law that allows people essentially a free license to shoot others if they feel threatened. Still, 911 tapes suggest that Zimmerman may have said, "f**ing coons," while following Martin. Other neighbors say that Zimmerman told them previously to be on the watch for suspicious black people.
Those gathered in Union Square chanted, "We want arrests, we want arrests, NOW!", "We all are one," and "Trayvon Martin could've been my son." City Councilman Jumaane Williams said, "It's Trayvon Martin in Florida. It's Ramarley Graham in the Bronx," and "The darker your skin, the more you look like a criminal."
Martin's mother, Sabrina Fulton, addressed the crowd, "Our son did not commit any crime. Our son is your son" and "It's not about a black-and-white thing. It's about a right-and-wrong thing."—here's some audio.
Now the crowd, which is in the hundreds, is marching along 14th Street. Here's livestream:
Tagged
florida
million hoodie march
racial profiling
trayvon martin
union square
violence
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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