UCLA students join in protest of George Zimmerman’s acquittal
An organizer sympathizes with gatherers of the Travyon Martin protest at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights.
By Kristen Taketa
July 15, 2013 12:32 a.m.
Protests broke out around Los Angeles Sunday after the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who was charged in connection with the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Demonstrators blocked traffic on the 10 Freeway and Crenshaw Boulevard in Mid-City Sunday night as part of a march to protest the not-guilty verdict, police officials said. UCLA students were among another group of protesters who gathered in Mariachi Plaza near downtown L.A.
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, shot Martin in February of last year after getting into an altercation with the teenager in his Florida neighborhood. He claimed Martin had attacked him and he had acted in self-defense.
Many upset with the not-guilty verdict said Zimmerman had racially profiled Martin when he shot and killed the unarmed black teenager. The incident sparked national questions and emotional debate about racial profiling and self-defense laws.
Compiled by Erin Donnelly and Kristen Taketa, Bruin senior staff. Contributing reports from Brandon Choe, Bruin senior staff.
