#MarchForTrayvonATL rally
At first it was a simple trickle, and then a flood of people assembled outside Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic park for a Trayvon Martin peace rally. A group of young people trekked from the Five Points Marta station nestled in Underground Atlanta, to meet with a group of men women and youth who’d gathered with signs and even a bag of Skittles on the corner. Just hours after a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty for the shooting death of the unarmed 17-year-old, people of various ethnicities, ages and backgrounds chanted loudly during the peaceful protest.
Several police officers were on the scene to keep watch but respectfully stood across the street from protesters, only crossing once to ask they they not block the path of visitors walking to the nearby CNN Center.
The mood was peaceful but far from silent as several organizers including Seven from WithTheFamily led the crowd in chants.
“There will be noise!” chanted the crowd of 50 to 60 people.
“Justice for Trayvon, he could’ve been your son!” they added.
Seven later told rolling out the true meaning about the peaceful assembly and laid down to mark the way police found Trayvon Martin’s body after George Zimmerman delivered the fatal shot to his heart.
“We’re assembling right here in Atlanta in respect of Trayvon Martin, respect of humanity, respect of all people, all mankind no matter the color, no matter the creed, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, it does not matter,” said Seven. “We stand for love, harmony and peace. Join us in the movement, join us in the fight, justice for all. Justice for Trayvon, we love you!”
So far protests of the Zimmerman acquittal have been largely peaceful across the country. There are reports, however, that on Saturday, the night the verdict was read, there were a few fires and windows broken by protesters in Oakland, Calif. There are also reports circulating that police in Los Angeles are firing rubber bullets at protesters who shut down Freeway 10 with their demonstration.
See how Atlanta took a peaceful stand for Trayvon Martin below. –danielle canada
