The national outcry following the February shooting death of an unarmed Florida teenager, reportedly in self defense, has reached North Texas.
At least three local colleges are planning rallies to honor the memory of Trayvon Martin, 17, who was gunned down in his father's Sanford, Fla., gated community last month by a self-appointed neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman.
Zimmerman, 28, has not been charged in connection with the incident, claimed he shot Martin twice in self defense.
In the state of Florida, as well as several states including Texas, the Stand Your Ground Law makes using deadly force justifiable in self defense. As the law reads, "there is no duty to retreat" before using deadly force, if the use of deadly force is justified.
Students on the campus of Paul Quinn College in south Dallas are inviting community members to attend a "Hoodie" rally at noon Friday in front of the student union.
The showing of solidarity refers to the hooded sweatshirt Martin was wearing at the time of the incident.
Zimmerman had called 911 to report a suspicious person with a hoodie. He then pursued Martin who ran. Minutes later Zimmerman shot Martin twice on the street.
There were no witnesses.
There will be a similar rally at Dallas City Hall at 6p.m. on Saturday, March 24.
A rally will also take place on Monday, March 26 at the University of Texas at Arlington. According to Michael G. Coleman III, with the UTA Chapter of the NAACP, the march will take place between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. It will take place on campus.
In Denton County, the University of North Texas and Texas Women's University will combine to host a similar rally at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 1.
