Nearly a month after unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was was shot to death in Sanford by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, a crowd estimated to be around 1,000 people gathered in Tampa's Al Lopez Park to protest their outrage at Martin's death — and the fact that Zimmerman still remains a free man.
Organized by the group "Real Talk: Real Answers," the protest was welcomed by many of those in attendance, who said it gave them an opportunity to call for justice in the case, to question the wisdom of Florida's 2005 "Stand Your Ground" law, and for some, to question how far the country and Florida have really come in race relations in 2012.
A large number of those marching, such as Tampa resident Rholya Nelson and her four teenagers, wore hoodies in solidarity with Martin. When asked if it was difficult wearing the warm sweater in the 80-degree-plus heat, Nelson said it didn't matter. "Compared to what (Trayvon) went through, this is nothing."
Many of those in attendance walked with their children, or pushed them in their baby strollers. Nelson pointed to her 17-year-old son and noted the similarity to Trayvon Martin.
"I just want justice for Trayvon Martin. I just want his family to know he did not die in vain because not only am I here to support the cause, but April 10 me and my family are going to march in Sanford."
That's the date a grand jury is scheduled to investigate the case.
This article appears in Mar 22-28, 2012.