George Zimmerman was found not guilty Saturday of the second-degree murder of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., — and many are not happy about it.
Protests are taking place in cities across the U.S., and one of the larger protests is happening in New York City's Times Square. Thousands have taken to the streets to protest the verdict, shouting "No justice" and "Trayvon."
There's a large police presence to ensure the protests remain peaceful, and so far they have been. The protests, which began in Union Square, morphed into a march headed towards Times Square.
About 1,000 to 2,000 of the demonstrators abandoned the protest site at Union Square to march in the streets toward Times Square, slowing or stopping traffic.
Police attempted to funnel the crowd into controlled lanes but were unable to. Police halted the march about eight blocks short of Times Square, which was already packed with tourists, as is typical on a summer evening.
Although police tried to block marchers from moving into Times Square, that effort largely failed.
“This is a show of strength, but it’s also a show of solidarity with the family because last night, what happened, was complete disrespect to them,” Imani Henry, an activist with the People’s Power Assembly, told NBC News.“We want to show love and respect to them.”
Zimmerman shot and killed Martin in Feb. 2012, claiming self defense after the 17-year-old allegedly attacked him. The six-person jury in his trial were given the option to convict him of the lesser charge of manslaughter, but he was acquitted of all charges.
President Obama called for calm early Sunday after Zimmerman was set free.
"I know this case has elicited strong passions," Obama said in a statement. "And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken."
NYPD waiting for the Trayvon Martin rally on 6th Ave pic.twitter.com/1DOwwG3FZR
— Michael Rusch (@weeddude) July 15, 2013
#NoJustice NYC >> @Ows_Casper: I would say there are 1500 to 2000 people on the streets #JusticeForTrayvon march. pic.twitter.com/HwdfeLzHQe
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC) July 14, 2013
Here's what it looks like in Times Square:
times square #TrayvonMartinpic.twitter.com/LdBRjOgFkD
— Macey J. Foronda (@maceyjforonda) July 15, 2013
"This 2013. We will not take being shot down anymore...we have plenty of peace but no justice" #TrayvonMartinpic.twitter.com/IcsV2Ftr3W
— Ryan Devereaux (@rdevro) July 15, 2013
Great shot of the crowd in Times Square NYC @Ows_Casper#justicefortrayvon#NoJusticepic.twitter.com/4YMAhKylC1
— OccupyMyCat (@OccupyMyCat) July 15, 2013
The Light Brigade is here #HoodiesUp#NoJustice#JusticeForTrayvon#NYCpic.twitter.com/6TmWWMCCoT
— Mariya (@mariyanyc) July 15, 2013
Vice has a live stream of the protests.
SEE ALSO: George Zimmerman Found Not Guilty
Join the conversation about this story »
     |