George Zimmerman case: Rallies follow not guilty verdict across the nation
SANFORD, Fla. (KABC) -- The George Zimmerman verdict sparked protests and rallies across the nation as demonstrators hit the streets Sunday.
Jurors reached the verdict Saturday, sparking a nation-wide response from the NAACP, celebrities and citizens.
The NAACP called on the Department of Justice to prosecute George Zimmerman after he was acquitted in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
"We are outraged and heartbroken over today's verdict," NAACP President Benjamin Jealous said in a statement. .
"We will pursue civil rights charges with the Department of Justice, we will continue to fight for the removal of Stand Your Ground laws in every state, and we will not rest until racial profiling in all its forms is outlawed," Jealous said. .
Locally, Pastor J. Edgar Boyd of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles also shared his thoughts.
"My disappointment has come from the sense that I don't see enough advancement in the justice system in America today," said Boyd.
The DOJ previously launched a civil rights investigation into the case. A spokeswoman said the department would continue to "evaluate the evidence generated during the federal investigation, as well as the evidence and testimony from the state trial."
Martin's parents were not in the courtroom when the verdict was read, though Martin's father, Tracy Martin, tweeted after that he was "brokenhearted."
"Even though I am broken hearted my faith is unshattered I WILL ALWAYS LOVE MY BABY TRAY," Martin wrote. .
The verdict heightened police presence in cities across the nation. Protests overnight were mostly peaceful, including in Sanford, Fla., where the trial took place.
Sanford Police Department Investigator Ronny Neal said it was "very quiet."
Demonstrators also peacefully took to the streets in Milwaukee, Washington, Atlanta and other cities overnight and into early morning Sunday. However in Oakland, some broke windows and vandalized a police squad car.
Benjamin Crump, a lawyer for the Martin family, acknowledged the disappointment of Trayvon Martin's supporters, but he urged them not to resort to violence.
"For Trayvon to rest in peace, we must all be peaceful," Crump said.
In a Sunday afternoon statement, President Barack Obama called Martin's death a tragedy for America but asked that Americans respect calls for calm reflection.
"I know this case has elicited strong passions," he said. "And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken."
More demonstrations were held locally Sunday. The Los Angeles Coalition for Community Control Over the Police and Occupy L.A. held a peaceful demonstration at 4 p.m. at Crenshaw and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
"We're all for peace and justice," said Jubilee Shine, a protest organizer. "It's the people like George Zimmerman that are bringing violence to our communities with impunity, with the support of the local and state government in Florida. We need the federal government to intervene. We need the Justice Department to immediately bring federal charges against George Zimmerman for violating the civil rights of Trayvon Martin."
Several Angelinos also took to the streets Saturday night, with no major disturbances reported. LAPD's South Bureau issued a tactical alert, but no arrests were made. However around 1 a.m. officers were forced to fire bean bags on a crowd after police say protesters threw bottles at motorcycle officers near Crenshaw and the 110 Freeway.
Hundreds of protesters also gathered at Leimert Park near Crenshaw Boulevard and Vernon Avenue, and marches were held in South Los Angeles.
ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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