SANFORD – Civil rights leaders from across the state of Florida are convening on Tallahassee today to lead a group of protestors in demanding that Gov. Rick Scott launch an independent investigation into Trayvon Martin’s death. Dubbed as the “Rally in Tally,” hundreds are expected to gather at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center before taking their protest to the Capitol building.
“Rally in Tally” organizers also hope to pressure Gov. Scott into immediately creating a racial profiling task force.
These investigative bodies would add two new levels of scrutiny to the numerous arms of the law enforcement currently involved in examining Martin’s killing. The U.S. Department of Justice, FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and State Attorney’s Office are all inquiring into different aspects of the controversy.
Trayvon Martin was killed last month by George Zimmerman, who claims he shot the unarmed teen in self-defense. Zimmerman was not charged, sparking a national backlash against the Sanford police department.
Last night, 10,000 people gathered in Sanford to demand that Zimmerman be arrested, including Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin’s family, and prominent dignitaries such as Martin Luther King, III. Speakers and protesters expressed the belief that Sanford police intentionally corrupted the investigation of Martin’s shooting due to racial bias.
On Monday, what has been described by local civil rights leaders as a “massive” demonstration is planned in further support of Martin and his family. Monday marks the one month anniversary of Trayvon’s death.
A rally is also planned for Monday in Atlanta to condemn Georgia’s version of the “Stand Your Ground Law,” the Florida law which was cited as the reason George Zimmerman was not arrested.
Philadelphia activists are also panning a rally of support on Monday.
Rallies are also planned for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Greenville, South Carolina, Norfolk, Virginia, and Toronto, Canada, among other locations, in the coming days.
At last night’s rally in Sanford, Sybrina Fulton, Martin’s mother, reacted to former police chief Lee’s decision to take a voluntary leave. For her, this was not enough. “It’s a temporary relief, but we need a permanent relief,” she told the crowd, referring to her family’s demand for the arrest of Zimmerman.
Captain Darren Scott and Captain Robert O’Connor have been announced as the current leaders of the Sanford police department, following the temporary resignation of Lee. There is no word of if, or when, Lee might return to his post, or if he will be able to return due to the many calls for his firing.
City manager Norton Bonaparte, Jr. is leading the team conducting a search for an interim police chief.
According to his Twitter account, Rev. Al Sharpton is currently returning to New York City to attend to the death of his mother who died yesterday, but will return to Florida next week.
Follow Alexis Garrett Stodghill on Twitter at @lexisb