Supporters of slain teenager Trayvon Martin gathered in Sanford, Florida, Friday for a rally calling for the arrest of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watchman who shot him to death last month.
Rights activist Al Sharpton organized Thursday's rally, which was expected to draw thousands of people. Additionally, more than one million people have signed an online petition
Martin's parents met Thursday with officials from the U.S. Justice Department, which is conducting an investigation. Authorities are trying to determine if Zimmerman uttered a racial slur in one of his calls to emergency operators, which could elevate the shooting to a federal hate crime.
Meanwhile Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee announced Thursday he will “temporarily” remove himself from office over growing criticism about the way the investigation was conducted.
“As a former homicide investigator, a career law enforcement officer, and a father, I am keenly aware of the emotions associated with this tragic death of a child. I'm also aware that my role as the leader of this agency has become a distraction from the investigation. While I stand by the Sanford police department, its personnel, and the investigation that was conducted in regards to the Trayvon Martin case, it is apparent that my involvement in this matter is overshadowing the process.”
On Wednesday, more than 1,000 people marched Wednesday in New York City to protest last month's shooting death of an African-American teenager in Florida by a neighborhood watch volunteer.
The demonstrators crowded the city's Union Square in honor of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was killed on February 26 while walking back home from a convenience store near Orlando.
The so-called “Million Hoodies March,” a reference to the hooded sweater Trayvon was wearing when he was killed, was sparked by an online campaign on the social network Facebook.
Trayvon's parents attended the march, and joined in demanding the arrest of the shooter, George Zimmerman.
“Our son did not deserve to die. There is nothing that we can say to bring him back but I am here today to ensure that justice is served and no other parents have to go through this again.''
“Because our son was not committing any crime. Our son is your son. I want you guys to stand up for justice and stand up for what is right. This is not about a black and white thing, this about a right and wrong thing. Justice for Trayvon.''
Zimmerman has not been arrested by local police, claiming he shot the boy in self-defense. But his phone calls to emergency operators suggest he followed Trayvon through the neighborhood. The lawyer for Trayvon's family also says the boy's girlfriend says she was talking to him on his mobile phone moments before his death.
Commissioners in the city of Sanford have approved a “no-confidence” measure against Police Chief Bill Lee over his department's handling of the case.
Prosecutors in Florida say they will convene a grand jury to investigate the incident.
The incident has also drawn attention to so-called “stand your ground” laws in Florida and several other states, which allow people to confront a potential attacker with deadly force if they feel their life is in danger.
