Close to three hundred protesters donned hoodies and gathered at the gates of the State Capitol Tuesday night in remembrance of slain Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. It was a silent protest. It’s one in a series of rallies across the country this week that expressed anger over Martin’s killing by a neighborhood watch volunteer.
Austin attorney James Nortey helped organize the event. He says the group spread the word about the protest almost exclusively through social media and word-of-mouth. Nortey says he's pleased with the Austin community for showing up.
“This is a cross-section of old, young, black, white, male, female and we need to continue to have these community conversations and come up with community solutions," said Nortey. "I don't have all the answers, but I know I have some of them. And I share them with you. And I think we need to work towards a more just society and live out what it means to be a true caring community."
But others in the crowd were less optimistic. Casey Calhoun was born and raised in Austin. She says she's looking toward the Justice Department to conduct a full investigation into Martin's murder. She thinks it's a clear case of discrimination.
"To not even do an inquiry or take a report? That's despicable, but I'm not surprised in 2012 that's what went on," Calhoun said.
The protest at the capital was one in a series of rallies across the country this week that expressed anger over Martin’s killing by a neighborhood-watch volunteer.
