San Diegans March for Trayvon Martin

Approximately 500 San Diegans gathered at Balboa Park to march in honor of the late teenager

Hundreds of San Diegans gathered at Balboa Park Monday evening to march for Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old teenager who was killed in Florida last month by a Neighborhood Watch volunteer who claims he acted in self-defense.

Martin’s controversial killing has garnered widespread national attention, with people marching in rallies across the country in honor of the teen.

In San Diego, approximately 500 demonstrators protested Martin’s death by marching together from Balboa Park to the Hall of Justice.

The marchers were riled up, chanting and cheering as they listened to speakers talk about injustice and the life of young Martin.

NBCSanDiego’s Brandi Powell spoke to demonstrators who said they were angry that young African American men are still being profiled. A 10-year-old boy at the rally expressed fear, saying the killing scares him because if it can happen to Martin, it could happen to him too.

Adults at the march expressed their condolences to Martin’s parents, calling the killing “unjustifiable.” Some also said they expected negative news to come out about the teen, such as the Associated Press report on Monday about how Martin was suspended from school when traces of marijuana were found in an empty plastic bag in his backpack.

After the group marched to the Hall of Justice, there were more speeches and the crowd held a candlelight vigil for the teen.

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