In memory of Trayvon Martin, rallies were held all over the country, including one in Davenport.
About 200 people gathered at the Federal Courthouse on Saturday, July 20, 2013 to pray, sing, and listen to community activists, local pastors, and others.
Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network organized the nationwide rallies. People at the rallies had different agendas, from protesting the George Zimmerman trial to bringing attention to “stand your ground” self-defense laws.
“They felt, the jurors felt, that the law, he held his ground,” said organizer, Michael Parker. “Can you argue the law or can you argue the jurors? You can’t. I don’t feel like you can blame them. You have to challenge the bigger system that puts together laws.”
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin has announced plans for a senate hearing in the fall of 2013 on self-defense laws. There are two proposals to put the “stand your ground” law in place in Iowa.