As clouds settled overhead and rain fell on dozens of Long Islanders rallying at Hempstead Village Hall Saturday, those in attendance did what most people do when it pours—they used a piece of clothing to protect themselves. But the mass donning of hoodies was less about protection from the precipitation and more as a show of support for the family of Trayvon Martin, the Florida teenager who was shot dead by a neighborhood watch captain last month.
Local leaders, politicians and members of the community called for the alleged shooter, George Zimmerman, to be arrested and face prosecution for what many believe was murder. Zimmerman claims he acted in self-defense out of desperation because he was being attacked by the 17-year-old.
Martin, carrying a bag of Skittles and an iced tea, was unarmed when he was gunned down while leaving a convenience store on his way to his father’s house on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla.
“Today we’re having a rally in support of Trayvon Martin and his family,” said Hempstead Village Mayor Wayne Hall. “We feel that it was an injustice that was done to the young man that was killed last month, and we just want to show our support.”
Outrage over Martin’s death has been brewing for weeks as demonstrators continue to hold rallies across the nation to protest what they described as racial stereotypes.
On Saturday, thousands of people marched in the Florida town where Martin was killed.
Similar demonstrations have spilled onto the streets all across the country.
“I’m here for whoever’s got a son,” said Hempstead resident Glenn Glasper, 51. “It’s not a color thing, it’s a son thing.”
On Saturday, supporters held signs that read, “Justice for Trayvon Martin,” with the widely-circulated picture of the teenager plastered on the white board.
Flyers were handed out, as were pins that read: “No Justice! No Peace!” It was a message resounded by the crowd in chants and shouts.
Hall, the village’s mayor, said he believes this isn’t a race issue, but simply a terrible incident that occurred to an unarmed teenager walking home.
“It’s not a black or white thing,” he said, “it’s something that was not right.”
Said Legislative Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead): “What we’re seeing throughout the country is no one is going to be able to tolerate this. From Long Island to California, to Illinois to Florida, everyone believes this man should be brought to justice.”
But Zimmerman’s family and friends have been outspoken and asked people not to rush to judgement.
The most recent to come to his defense was Zimmerman’s brother, Robert, who told CNN’s Piers Morgan that George is a “neighbor that everybody would want to have.”
Zimmerman’s friends have said Martin punched him and slammed his head into the ground, causing injuries to his nose and back of his head. But a recent video of Zimmerman arriving at a police station, appears to dispute claims that he was hurt. The grainy video added even more controversy to the case that doesn’t seem to be subsiding any time soon.
“Continue the demonstrations,” said Hall, “continue fighting trying to bring this man to justice because everybody can see that this was a wrong that was done to this family.”