In the area of Columbia Heights Washington, D.C., people of different ages and races could be heard chanting, “We want justice,” as they huddled against the cold night’s air. The candlelight vigil, one of many around the nation, was in memory of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed by 28-year-old George Zimmerman on February 26, in Sanford, Fla. The gathering began with a prayer, which then led to speeches, song, and poetry. There was also a moment of silence in honor of the teenager.
Candace Arrendell, who traveled from Gaithersburg, Md. with her 8-year-old son, said, “I would like justice to be served. I would like to see that the case is fully investigated, and I feel that justice should be served. Zimmerman needs to go to jail.” Vendor Dexter Croom sold Trayvon Martin T-shirts illustrating the outline of a hooded figure clutching Skittles and an Arizona Ice Tea, which is what Martin had on him at the time of his murder. Croom reported that a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Martin family. Croom said, “These T-shirts are pretty much letting everybody in America know who Trayvon Martin was. Pretty much everybody has a Trayvon Martin in them – anybody can walk around with a hoodie on and be profiled the same way this young man was.” Monday, March 26, marked the month anniversary of the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. No arrests have been made in the case thus far.
