Protesters in multiple US cities gather for Trayvon Martin case

Protesters in multiple cities across the United States Saturday gathered to call for justice for Trayvon Martin, the black teenager who was killed by a neighborhood watch volunteer last year. Protests were held in cities such as Washington D.C., New York, Miami and Los Angeles. National Action Network, which organized the rallies, said more than 100 cities joined the nation-wide protests. The protesters were calling for a federal civil rights investigation as well as changes to gun regulations around the country -- particularly "stand your ground" laws that allow leeway for someone to use deadly force when threatened. In Washington, a few hundred people gathered outside a federal courthouse to express their displeasure with the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot Martin last February. By afternoon, the biggest action were seen in New York and Miami. In New York, Martin's mother Sybrina Fulton was joined by civil rights leader Al Sharpton and pop stars Jay Z and Beyonce. Local reports said she told the crowd of supporters that she has moved on from the verdict and is ready to start a new chapter, but calling for the change of the "stand your ground" laws. Similar protest took place in Miami, and was attended by Martin 's father Tracy, who told supporters that "I'd like the world to know that Trayvon was my son. He was a loved child. He did nothing wrong and we're not going to let them persecute him the way that they have." Related: Obama proposes ways to prevent future Trayvon Martin tragedy WASHINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday made a series of proposals to prevent tragedies such as the Trayvon Martin case in the future, as he addressed the issue of race in the wake of the trial of George Zimmerman, who fatally shot Martin. Obama called for more training in local law enforcement agencies to reduce people's mistrust of the justice system, re- examination of state and local laws, including the Stand Your Ground laws, bolstering and reinforcing young African American men and soul-searching on race.  Full story 17 arrested in California when Trayvon Martin protest turns rowdy LOS ANGELES, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Seventeen Trayvon Martin protesters were arrested in California overnight Wednesday after their assembly turned rowdy. Most of the 80 protesters gathered at Victorville, 85 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, peacefully, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said. Full story L.A. protest against Zimmerman acquittal turns violent, over dozen arrested LOS ANGELES, July 16 (Xinhua) -- More than a dozen people were arrested overnight in Los Angeles area after a protest against George Zimmerman's acquittal turned violent, police said Tuesday. Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said the rally started peacefully but later a group of young protestors broke windows, set fires and attacked several people. Some of them stormed a Wal-Mart store in Crenshaw, throwing merchandise to the floor. Full story Obama calls for calm after Zimmerman acquittal WASHINGTON, July 14 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Sunday issued a statement on the acquittal of George Zimmerman, calling for calm as well as efforts to curb gun violence. Obama said in the statement that the death of Trayvon Martin, who was killed by Zimmerman, was a tragedy. Noting that "this case has elicited strong passions," Obama said those passions may be running even higher in the wake of the verdict. Full story