In the tradition of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., local organizers expect thousands of Atlantans of all races to gather at noon Saturday for a prayer vigil and rally to protest the outcome of the George Zimmerman trial.
The Rev. Al Sharpton is organizing rallies in 100 U.S. cities Saturday to call attention to laws like the one in Florida that resulted in the acquittal of Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch captain who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin last year claiming self defense. Martin’s parents will join the events, participating in separate cities.
Georgia is one of several states with Stand Your Ground laws, which allow people to claim self defense in a number of scenarios.
“This case has exposed the ever-present racial tensions that exist today,” said Markel Hutchins, a local civil rights activist. He has reached out to labor, religious leaders and media personalities to get the word out about the rally, which will be held on the steps of the Richard B. Russell Federal Building on Spring Street in downtown Atlanta.
“This community has a rich tradition of healing after a tragedy,” said Hutchins. “Because this is Dr. King’s town, Atlanta will again play a pivotal role.”
via Thousands expected for Trayvon Martin rally | www.ajc.com.
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