Martin family to join "Million Hoodie March"

Trayvon Martin / Family Photo/CBS Miami

(CBS/AP) NEW YORK - The parents of a black teenager who was shot to death by a neighborhood watch captain in Florida are set to attend a march in his memory Wednesday night in New York City.

A spokesman for the family's lawyer said Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin will attend an event called the Million Hoodie March at Union Square. Their son, Trayvon, 17, was shot to death last month while returning to a gated community in Sanford, Fla., after buying candy at a convenience store.

The teenager was unarmed and wearing a hoodie at the time.

Calls grow to arrest gunman in Fla. teen slaying
"Stand your ground" author: Zimmerman should be arrested
Photos: Trayvon Martin

The shooter, George Zimmerman, has not been charged in the Feb. 26 shooting. He has said he shot Martin in self-defense after Martin attacked him. Zimmerman is white; his family says he's Hispanic.

Despite two ongoing investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and Florida's state attorney, outrage across the country continues to grow daily.

The Justice Department has opened a civil rights probe into the shooting. The incident is also now a federal case, slated to go before a grand jury.

And pressure is building for authorities in Florida to arrest George Zimmerman.

"I am tired of burying young black boys," said Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida , who represents the district where Martin lived. "No more racial profiling. I'm tired of fighting when the evidence is so clear."

Martin had been at the store when Zimmerman, who was acting as a neighborhood watch volunteer, called police to report a "suspicious person." In the 911 tapes, Zimmerman said, "He's got his hand in his waistband and he's a black male." Zimmerman said he was following Martin but the dispatcher cautioned  "We don't need you to do that."

Zimmerman told police that he began retreating to his car, and only fired at Martin, after he jumped him. But conflicting reports from Martin's girlfriend, who was on the phone when it happened, said Zimmerman was the aggressor.

In a telephone call, the young woman told attorney Benjamin Crump, who represents Martin's family, she listened as Martin was suddenly confronted by a stranger.  According to his girlfriend,  "Trayvon said, 'What are you following me for?' And the man said, 'What are you doing around here?'"

Records show Zimmerman had called police dispatchers 46 times in the last 14 months but maintains he acted in self-defense. In Florida, the "Stand Your Ground" law, which gives the benefit of the doubt to anyone claiming self defense, is now being hotly debated.

More protests were slated Wednesday in Orlando and Miami. Another major rally expected Thursday night in Sanford, Florida.

[Carlthelin]

I'm not sure who's right or wrong because I wasn't there. I just hope it doesn't become ok to wear hoodies in banks or stores because of this. A Million Hoodie March is a very bad idea. I can already see Obama wearing one to show his support. Every robbery video on YouTube the perp is wearing a hoodie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou5JJZWvC2k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[AlexFTytler]

I've just put together a picture of young Trayvon wearing a hoodie, adressing the Million Hoodie Marchers. It says, "Dress and act like a gangster, DIE LIKE ONE." It's on a Word document.
I have absolutely no sympathy for those who try to scare decent people by this kind of behavior.

[rsava1962]

So I can wear my hoodie, right?
The white hoodie with the point?
I'm just saying they are trying to make the point that wearing a hood is not suspicious or bad. So the white pointy hoods are not bad, right?

[rsava1962]

So I can wear my hoodie, right?
The white hoodie with the point?
I'm just saying they are trying to make the point that wearing a hood is not suspicious or bad. So the white pointy hoods are not bad, right?

[SinclairNews]

Sadly even CBS has now continued the republication of completely untrue claims. The Sanford Police were investigating the shooting in accordance with Florida law when the race baiting attorneys and others chose to immediately begin attacking the Police. Sanford Police did the right thing in turning this tragic incident over to the State Attorney because those who wanted to immediately make this a "White Man kills Black Child" rallying cry made it impossible for the Police to do their job.

Even in this article CBS continues to claim "George Zimmerman is white" despite the fact that Zimmerman is HISPANIC, but they that's little fact does not make as good a race baiting headline as "White Man Kills Black child," does.

Al Sharpton and other race baiters (who have made a good living off the tragic losses of others)who have for years claimed Police are to quick to make arrests when it comes to a black suspect are now saying Police do not act fast enough.

Zimmerman will be charged, we have no doubt in our minds of that, but if people continue to use this young man's death as a spring board into a full on race issue for their own political gain, then they are as is CBS and MSNBC, NBC, et al cheapening Trayvon's life and his death.

[mbcollins2]

Of course that police chief should be fired. This event doesn't even pass the most basic smell test.

Try this on for size ... The police cheif's son is shot and killed by a black man who has a license to own a gun. Therre are no direct witnesses. The black man claims it was self defense. So, of course, the police are unable to arrest him because he claims it was self defense and there were no other witnesses.

Exactly how many people can I kill with my gun, and claim self defense and get away with it as long as there are no witnesses?

1? 3? 12? --- really? give me a break.

This is one of the MOST egregious examples of racism I've heard about -- at least in the past couple of decades.

Not only must the police cheif go, but every person who had the slightest input on the decision whether to arrest Zimmerman and prosecute needs to get the boot!

[boondockSaint666]

Really? For following FL law? A grand Jury is looking into this. How about we let the judicial process work? There are no witnesses what is it you would like the police to charge him with at this point? Acquaint yourself with FL law and you'll realize that the police are doing EXACTLY what they should be doing, that's why the fed's haven't done anything yet either. This family wants the limelight so much they're going to be flown, at someone else's expense no doubt, 1000 miles from the "scene of the crime" to march? With hoods on? (and pants sagging) For what? ATTENTION and some money.They're sad pawns in the sharpton show. Jessie and Al will roll out the red carpet and they will both cash in one way or the other, like they always do by exploiting their own people.

[retiredgustav]

I hope they hang Zimmerman by his tenicles.

[59jackell]

tenicles?!?!....how did you spell his name correctly but screwed that up. just say BALLS....and then calm down and let your justice department look into this... Zimmerman sounds a little preoccupied with calling the police, it will play out

[moretruthnow]

I am outraged. This injustice shows the Sanford police department to be incompetent and useless. They did little or not investigation and did not want to find the truth. Everyone with common sense wants justice for Trayvon Martin.

[toby3061]

A million hoddie march? You're serious, right?

[fredrickh]

Are they serious? That's what I thought. I am sure the justice department would step in but they are too busy investigating the Kansas kid who was on fire by the black kids because he is a white boy. This Zimmerman dope should be charged with murder - it's not that complicated. He was only threatened in his tiny narrow mind.