Hundreds of students at Carol City High School in Miami Gardens held a massive walkout Thursday to protest the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and the lack of an arrest in the case.
Trayvon, who was a junior at Michael Krop Senior High in North Miami-Dade, attended Carol City High during his freshman and sophomore years.
At around 12:30 p.m., the Carol City High students walked out of the school, 3422 NW 187th St.
Drivers in the area were stunned as hundreds of students filled the streets and sidewalks. The walkout brought traffic to a standstill until the teenagers passed.
According to Miami Gardens police, the school principal sanctioned an on-campus peaceful demonstration to take place on the school field. However, some of the students left campus. Police say they are ensuring the safety of the students and not taking any police action.
Trayvon, who lived in Miami Gardens, was killed Feb. 26 by a neighborhood watch volunteer while walking through a Sanford gated community, returning from a candy run to a 7-Eleven. The volunteer, George Zimmerman, 28, said he acted in self-defense after Martin attacked him.
The lack of an arrest has set off a firestorm of criticism.
Martin’s parents were meeting Thursday with U.S. Justice Department officials, hours before thousands of protesters were expected for a rally led by civil rights activist Al Sharpton in Sanford.
Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton were to discuss the police investigation into the shooting death of their son. The State Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case, which will be presented to a grand jury next month. However, the Justice Department earlier this week agreed to open a federal civil rights probe.
Zimmerman has claimed self-defense, and Sanford Police Department officials say there is no evidence that contradicts Zimmerman’s claim. Some neighbors in the gated community where Martin was shot have praised Zimmerman for taking a stand against crime in the neighborhood.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/22/2707967/miami-dade-high-school-students.html#storylink=cpy
