MIAMI, (Reuters) – Thousands of protesters gathered in a downtown bayfront park yesterday demanding the arrest of the neighbourhood watch volunteer who shot and killed an unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin, in central Florida a month ago.
Civil rights leaders were joined by local politicians, pastors and Martin’s parents, who made their first major public appearance in their hometown since last month.
Sunday’s protest came a day after one of the largest demonstrations in Sanford, the central Florida town where Martin was killed.
A crowd of about 5,000 gathered in an amphitheater with a “Justice for Trayvon” poster behind the stage to hear speeches from civil rights leaders Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, as well as Martin’s parents. Grammy Award-winning singers Chaka Khan and Betty Wright also attended.
