Martin's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, believe the shooter, 28-year-old George Zimmerman, should have been arrested. They claim Zimmerman was profiling their son and acted like a vigilante. many see this as a hate crime.
Zimmerman has claimed self-defense, and Sanford Police Department officials say there is no evidence that contradicts Zimmerman's claim. Florida's self-defense law gives people wide latitude to use deadly force rather than retreat during a fight.
The lack of an arrest has outraged residents who claim the Sanford Police Department has a history of ignoring the black community's concerns. City commissioners gave the police chief a vote of no confidence on Wednesday. The commission can't fire the chief because he reports to the city manager. The chief of Police Bill Lee Jr. is stepping down temporarily as of today. The rally is being headlined by Sharpton, who flew down to central Florida despite the death of his mother earlier in the day.
