Protesters run through Westwood in support of Trayvon Martin

At least one person was detained by police in Westwood Thursday while protesting a recent verdict that declared neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman not guilty for the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

About 15 people took part in the protest, which participants referred to as the “Smash White Supremacy Fun Run.” The run started on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue about 7:45 p.m and lasted about 15 minutes.

The event was organized in response to the not guilty verdict of Zimmerman who shot and killed 17-year-old Martin in Feb. 2012. Zimmerman claimed Martin had attacked him and he had acted in self defense. The Florida jury’s decision was released late Saturday evening.

The protesters ran through Westwood wearing signs that read “End White Supremacy” and other messages.

Protesters gathered and stretched for about 40 minutes before they ran or biked up Westwood Boulevard toward UCLA and then back down Westwood Boulevard.

The trial gained national attention, and protests and riots erupted throughout the country after the not guilty verdict.

Some of the protesters at the run Thursday said they thought the trial’s verdict demonstrated that racism remains prevalent in American courtrooms.

Multiple police cars and motorcycles and a police helicopter followed the protesters as they ran in the middle of the street, until the protest ended on the corner of Lindbrook Drive and and Westwood Boulevard, when one of the protesters was taken into custody.

One of the protesters was a UCLA Law School student, Nico Ambrose.

“It’s our duty to be down here supporting equal justice for everybody,” Ambrose said.

Ambrose said he had participated in multiple protests since he heard the verdict of Zimmerman’s trial.

“As a law student, the Trayvon Martin case is symbolic (to me) of racism in the justice system,” Ambrose said.

Demetrius Wyman, a 23-year-old Los Angeles resident, said he showed up to the protest because he was outraged by the Zimmerman verdict.

Wyman said he wanted to channel his anger in a non-violent way through the run.

At least 10 cop cars gathered at Lindbrook and Westwood Boulevard around 8 p.m., during the arrest.

LAPD officials could not be reached for comment to give further information if any of the protesters were charged with a crime.

Read more here: http://dailybruin.com/2013/07/18/protesters-run-through-westwood-in-support-of-trayvon-martin/
Copyright 2024