What started as a local shooting case in the Orlando suburb has evolved into an issue of state – wide interest. The Trayvon Martin case has hit sensible cords as Florida sees more protests asking for justice as authorities still haven’t made an arrest, although the shooter’s identity is well confirmed.
Thursday night in Sanford, several thousands of people spent the night outside taking part at a rally asking for justice. The death of the 17 year old Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch captain has angered spirits as authorities have yet to make an arrest. Several civil rights advocates joined by thousands of people are demanding authorities to arrest George Zimmerman, the alleged shooter.
Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, is also the main leader of the protests. He said: “Twenty-six days ago this young man, Trayvon Martin, did nothing criminal, did nothing unethical. He went to the store for his brother. He came back and lost his life”. Sharpton emphasized that Trayvon Martin stands for any other young man and even adult at risk of being shot to death. “Trayvon represents a reckless disregard for our lives that we’ve seen for too long” added the civil rights advocate.
As the situation seems to be on the edge, Florida Governor Rick Scott has decided to send one of his own people to look at the Trayvon Martin case. Angela B. Corey, state attorney for the Jacksonville area, has been appointed by the Governor as special prosecutor in charge of heading the state investigation of Trayvon Martin’s death.
The main protests are against the Sanford Police Department which is also about to enter under higher authority scrutiny for the poor job they’ve done with handling the case. The Sharpton police Chief Bill Lee has decided to step down temporarily from his job after he has been accused of lying to the mass media and even the victim’s parents, allegedly protecting George Zimmerman and not taking into account the testimonials of key witnesses.
But Lee’s temporarily suspension wasn’t enough to calm down the angry protesters. The Justice Department and the FBI are also undertaking their own investigations, but things are sure to develop more as protesters feel that authorities are discriminating against black people and the Trayvon Martin case by trying to wipe their hands of it.
