Sunday, July 28, 2013
Over 1,000 supporters, civil rights activists, motorcyclists and others came out to the Georgia State Capitol building on Washington Street in downtown Atlanta for a Trayvon Martin Rally organized by the NAACP and the Trained To Go Motorcycle Club. The rally was an effort to urge the Department of Justice to file federal charges, including civil rights charges, against George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin. As part of the event close to 800 motorcyclists rode their bikes from Lithonia to the capitol in a motorcade to show support for the NAACP’s cause. Motorcycle clubs from all over the city and the state participated in the ride. The fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman took place on the night of February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida. Martin was a 17-year-old African American high school student. George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old mixed-race Hispanic, was the neighborhood watch coordinator for the gated community where Martin was temporarily staying and where the shooting took place. Following an earlier call from Zimmerman, police arrived within two minutes of a gunshot during a scuffle, in which Zimmerman had fatally shot Martin. Zimmerman was taken into custody, treated for head injuries, then questioned for five hours. The police chief said that Zimmerman was released for lack of evidence and lack of legal grounds for arrest, and that Zimmerman had a right to defend himself with lethal force. However, six weeks later, Zimmerman was charged with murder by a special prosecutor appointed by Governor Rick Scott. Zimmerman’s trial began on June 10, 2013, in Sanford. On July 13, 2013, a jury acquitted him of second-degree murder and of manslaughter charges.
Trinity Scott holds a sign before the start of the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Kamarion Newsome (right) waves a sign as he stands next to Susie Kier before the start of the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Dr. Quincy Harris puts up signs in front of the capitol building before the start of the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Gerald Rose (left) chants into a microphone during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Bikers turn onto Washington Street in Atlanta as around 800 motorcycles pull in front of the state capitol during the Trayvon Martin Rally in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Charles Brooks (center) parks his bike on Washington Street in front of the capitol building during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
John Gardner (left) talks with Lozell Styles after parking their bikes on Washington Street in front of the capitol building during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Tanya Skinner (right) finds an open spot to park her bike on Washington Street in front of the capitol building during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Ashlee Hines (left) screams into a megaphone during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Roland Cheeks (left) parks his bike on Washington Street in front of the capitol building during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Rev. Samuel Mosteller (center) speaks to reporters during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Katrina Alexander bows her head in prayer during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Kevin Myles (right) speaks as he stands next to Lucia McBath, Jordan Davis’ mother, during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Lucia McBath, Jordan Davis’ mother, speaks during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Senator Vincent D. Fort (center) speaks during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Tabatha Holley (left) and Gerald Rose chant during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Around 800 motorcycles line Washington Street in front of the state capitol during the Trayvon Martin Rally in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
T.J. Jackman (center) and Reginald McCrary raise their hands in support during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Kenneth Johnson (left) and his wife Jacquelyn speak about their son Kendrick’s death during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Jermaine McBryde carries his daughter Janaya and a sgn during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Larry Platt holds onto a sign during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Shuntan Davis (left) cheers as she and Rudolph Long rev the engines on their motorcycles during the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
Shaun Hopkins (left) and Winston Rodgers prepare to leave the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
The gold dome of the capitol building is reflected in the helmet of Angela Watson as she leaves the Trayvon Martin Rally at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Sunday, July 28, 2013.