Jay-Z & Beyoncé Rally For Trayvon In NYC, Pressured W/ “No Concerts In Florida!” Chants

Written By S. Samuel

Married music couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter are showing their support for the family of slain teenager Trayvon Martin by appearing in a New York City rally in his memory.

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Jay and Bey joined the likes of Martin’s mother, Reverend Al Sharpton and more Saturday (July 20).

Platinum-selling power couple Jay Z and Beyoncé joined the crowd demanding “Justice for Trayvon Martin” at a Saturday rally where the pair greeted the slain teen’s mother. The celebrity backing on a blistering Manhattan day came after Sybrina Fulton proclaimed her son’s innocence and urged a federal civil rights prosecution of George Zimmerman. Fulton, choked up by the racially diverse crowd’s cheers and support, had trouble speaking before declaring that 17-year-old Trayvon did not deserve to die. “He was a child,” she said outside 1 Police Plaza. “Don’t take my word for it. He had a drink and candy.” (New York Daily News)

Jay and Bey also received chants not to perform in Florida a week after shooter George Zimmerman was acquitted for taking Martin’s life.

“I’m not here to do interviews, thank you,” the chart-topping hip-hop star said after he and wife, Beyonce, spent some time with Fulton in lower Manhattan. Some in the crowd of hundreds urged the couple to make a stronger statement, chanting “No concerts in Florida!” (New York Daily News)

The New York rally is just one of many taking place throughout the nation.

Thousands gathered Saturday at rallies in more than 100 cities nationwide to remember Trayvon, to press for federal civil rights charges against the man who shot him, and to attack stand-your-ground self-defense laws. The Justice Department is investigating whether Zimmerman, 29, violated Martin’s civil rights when he shot the 17-year-old during a February 2012 confrontation in Sanford, Fla. Although Zimmerman ultimately did not use a “stand your ground” defense, the case brought stand-your-ground laws into the spotlight. At a rally in New York City, civil rights activist Al Sharpton took aim at those laws, which in more than a dozen states generally give people wide latitude to use deadly force if they fear serious bodily harm. “We are trying to change laws so that this never, ever happens again,” Sharpton, who organized the nationwide rallies through his National Action Network, told the crowd. (USA Today)

Following last weekend’s Zimmerman verdict, a Facebook page urging people not to support select Florida-based companies launched.

“Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law” killed Trayvon Martin’s opportunity for justice. Stand Your Ground must be repealed and corporations based in Florida that profit from our patronage must stand with us against Stand Your Ground or we will make them pay in their pockets. Economic embargos and boycotts have worked to debilitate America’s unjust laws like Jim Crow and alienate and starve countries like Cuba. A focused, targeted and public economic embargo of Florida-based corporations will force them to take a stand against Stand Your Ground in their own interests, The following post list the top Florida-based corporations who rely upon your patronage and support.” (Boycott Florida)

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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