As protesters across the nation continue to express outrage over the George Zimmerman verdict, Rev. Al Sharpton will lead a national "Justice for Trayvon" day in 100 U.S. cities Saturday to push for federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman.
The famed civil rights activist and talk show host announced his plans to head the rally Wednesday, stating, "Saturday, the verdict lost the battle, but we have not lost the war," reports USA Today.
Zimmerman, a 29-year-old self-appointed neighborhood watch caption, was acquitted of second-degree murder on Saturday in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin back in February 2012. Zimmerman shot the unarmed teen in a gated community in Sanford, Fla. after he claims the two got into a confrontation. A decision to clear Zimmerman of all charges by an all-female and predominantly white jury has sparked protests around the country.
The Justice Department has also opened an investigation into whether Zimmerman violated the slain teen's civil rights, although he claims that he killed him in self-defense.
"People all across the country will gather to show that we are not having a two- or three-day anger fit. This is a social movement for justice," said Sharpton.
Rallies and vigils are planned outside of federal court buildings at noon Saturday in major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York. Mobile, Montgomery and Birmingham are also among the 100 cities where rallies are planned, reports the Miami Herald.
"There is a blatant civil rights question. ... Does Trayvon Martin and the Trayvon Martins of this country have the civil right to go home," Sharpton said of the black teen.
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