AppId is over the quota
WASHINGTON (USA TODAY) — A lawyer for the family of the teenager slain in the Florida "hoodie" killing says the parents are "reliving this nightmare" every day as intense national pressure grows to charge the man who pulled the trigger.
"They're retelling the story over and over again," Benjamin Crump, an attorney for the parents of Trayvon Martin, told USA TODAY. "All they want is simple justice. They just want their day in court."
The Martin family was on Capitol Hill to attend a forum on racial profiling and hate crimes, and also to talk to the media about the case, which drew more intense national reaction Wednesday. Rallies were held in several states, and members of the New York City Council gathered on the steps of City Hall to protest what several lawmakers called an inadequate police investigation into Trayvon's death.
The 17-year-old's death has sparked national conversation about racial profiling. He was fatally shot Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla., after neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman followed him because he felt the teen looked suspicious.
Trayvon, who is black and wore a hoodie sweatshirt, was unarmed; Zimmerman is described by police as white, but his family says he is Hispanic.
Zimmerman, 28, claims self-defense and told police that Trayvon jumped him and smashed his head into the pavement. Police declined to charge Zimmerman at the scene after noticing he was bleeding and showed signs of having been beaten.
Crump said the national outpouring of outrage in the case won't stop until Zimmerman is arrested. He said rallies will continue.
"I think the people aren't going anywhere," he said referring to the growing online petitions, crowd gatherings and social media campaigns.
Among displays of support Wednesday was that from Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., who was escorted off the U.S. House floor for wearing a hoodie as he protested the shooting.
The lawmaker called for a full investigation into Trayvon's death. On the House floor, he declared, "Racial profiling has to stop, Mr. Speaker. Just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum."
The congressman, wearing the hoodie again, said later in a CNN interview that "life is much more than a piece of clothing."
"We can't lie down and accept murder because someone wears a hood," Rush told CNN. "A hood is nothing but a piece of clothing."
The House has strict rules about what lawmakers can wear on the floor. Rep. Greg Harper, R-Miss., who was presiding over the chamber when Rush was speaking, banged the gavel repeatedly and reminded him of rules that prohibit the wearing of hats in the chamber while the House is in session.
Harper said wearing a hoodie was "not consistent with this rule." Rush was escorted out by someone in the sergeant-at-arms office.
The hoodie has become a symbol of support for Trayvon. Miami Heat stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and their teammates wore hooded sweatshirts and posed for pictures wearing the garments as part of the "We Are Trayvon" campaign.
Tens of thousands of people have posted pictures of themselves wearing hoodies on Twitter, Facebook and other social media.
Zimmerman's lawyer and friends have spoken in defense of the neighborhood watch volunteer, saying he is not a racist. He has dropped from sight since the killing and has not made any public remarks.
Despite the police decision not to charge Zimmerman at the time, several other probes are ongoing. The U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation, and a Seminole County, Fla., grand jury is considering possible charges. The grand jury is likely to convene April 10.
More than 30,000 people signed an NAACP petition to Florida prosecutors in just a 24-hour period.
The case has taken on widespread interest throughout the Internet, where there is even demand for merchandise. Websites are hawking key chains bearing Trayvon's likeness. His parents have bought two trademarks, saying they hope to raise money to help other families struck by tragedy. Trayvon clothes, bumper stickers, buttons and posters are being sold on eBay.
Copyright 2012 USA TODAY
