People across the country took to the streets Saturday, in support of Trayvon Martin, and to urge federal officials to bring forth charges. Milwaukee was among more than 100 cities where people participated.
Around a thousand or so people gathered in front of the federal building downtown. While the catalyst was last week’s verdict in the George Zimmerman trial in Florida, it was clear the rally here was about more.
Brooke Love came dressed in a black hoodie and carried a bag of skittles.
“I am really, really so happy to see the mixture of different races here to support the injustices, not only of Trayvon Martin but Darius (Simmons), of Derek Williams and for so many other people,” Love says.
Derek Williams died in the custody of the Milwaukee Police Department back in 2011.
Simmons was shot to death by a next door neighbor, who had accused the 13-year-old of stealing guns. None were found in the boy's home. Last week, a 76-year-old man was convicted of the killing and of being sane at the time. He will be sentenced Monday afternoon.
The U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation in October into whether the Milwaukee Police Department has demonstrated a pattern of violating civil rights.
