01:04USA: New Yorkers march on Times Square for Trayvon Martin justice
USA: New Yorkers march on Times Square for Trayvon Martin justice
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of New York demanding justice for Trayvon Martin on Sunday, setting off on a march which was not authorised by police and shutting down Times Square traffic for over an hour. George Zimmerman was charged and put on trial for second-degree murder for shooting dead 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012.
After the decision was made by protesters to set Times Square as the destination, police attempted to end the march at 34th Street. After a brief and tense stand-off between police and demonstrators, many began making their way through the police line. Eventually, Times Square was reached by the marchers and traffic came to a standstill. Many drivers showed their solidarity with the protest by honking their horns.
Initially the rally had been proposed months ago to be held at 18.00 local time (22.00 GMT) the day the verdict was announced. As the acquittal of Zimmerman came in after that time on Saturday, the rally was scheduled for the following day. Demonstrations have taken place all across the US, with pockets of violence in some cities.
The opinion of the US population was divided as the jury's unanimous verdict was read after more than 16 hours of deliberations at the Sanford Seminole County criminal justice centre. Outside the courthouse dozens of supporters of the Martin family gathered holding banners and signs.
01:04NONE
USA: New Yorkers march on Times Square for Trayvon Martin justice
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of New York demanding justice for Trayvon Martin on Sunday, setting off on a march which was not authorised by police and shutting down Times Square traffic for over an hour. George Zimmerman was charged and put on trial for second-degree murder for shooting dead 17-year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012.
After the decision was made by protesters to set Times Square as the destination, police attempted to end the march at 34th Street. After a brief and tense stand-off between police and demonstrators, many began making their way through the police line. Eventually, Times Square was reached by the marchers and traffic came to a standstill. Many drivers showed their solidarity with the protest by honking their horns.
Initially the rally had been proposed months ago to be held at 18.00 local time (22.00 GMT) the day the verdict was announced. As the acquittal of Zimmerman came in after that time on Saturday, the rally was scheduled for the following day. Demonstrations have taken place all across the US, with pockets of violence in some cities.
The opinion of the US population was divided as the jury's unanimous verdict was read after more than 16 hours of deliberations at the Sanford Seminole County criminal justice centre. Outside the courthouse dozens of supporters of the Martin family gathered holding banners and signs.