UPDATE: 3:00pm EST
Dream Defenders, the group of college students who forced the temporary shutdown of the Sanford Police Department, reached an agreement with city officials to hold a community forum on April 19th, ending today’s five-hour demonstration.
Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte, Jr. agreed on an April 19 public forum to discuss concerns regarding the police investigation into the shooting of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon and his killer, George Zimmerman.
The Dream Defenders moved away from the doors after Bonaparte, protest leaders, and acting Police Chief Darren Scott reached the agreement.
Officials said the Police Department has reopened. #HoodiesUp
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The Dream Defenders, a coalition of college students from across Florida who walked from Daytona Beach to Sanford this weekend have blocked the entrance to the Sanford Police department in an act of civil disobedience.
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A group of about three dozen protesters lined up three abreast and began their march to Sanford police headquarters.
The six protesters have been huddled near the door since about 10 a.m.
Other protesters stood in a semi-circle about 40 feet away, singing different songs including “We Shall Overcome.”
The group of students made a list of demands to local and state government. On the Dream Defenders’ website it said the group planned the non-violent protest in conjunction with a national day of silence.
“We will not stop until Zimmerman is arrested, Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee and Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. are permanently removed from office, a full investigation into the handling of the Trayvon Martin murder by local law enforcement and the state attorney, and the immediate prosecution of those found to have committed any wrong doing.”
The group arrived at the police department just before 10 a.m. after marching three blocks from nearby Allen Chapel AME church on Olive Avenue. Four of the six students who blocked the doors were wearing hoodies.
Police officers who were inside and outside the building watched the protesters, who held their position for several minutes, but did not interfere.
17-year-old Trayvon was shot and killed by neighborhood watchman, 28-year-old George Zimmerman. Trayvon was returning from a local 7-Eleven after buying a bag of Skittles and iced tea.
He was then spotted by Zimmerman while returning to his father’s girlfriend’s home inside their gated community. Zimmerman called 911, explaining that Trayvon, who was wearing a hoodie at the time, a pair of blue jeans, and red/white sneakers, looked suspicious.
Zimmerman pursued Trayvon even after he was told not to by the 911 dispatcher.
When Zimmerman approached Trayvon, the two got into a scuffle, resulting in Trayvon taking a bullet to the chest at point blank range.
Zimmerman claimed that he shot Trayvon on grounds of self-defense, although Trayvon was unarmed.
Since the murder of Trayvon, the entire nation has expressed outrage.
George Zimmerman has not been arrested yet as more evidence comes forward proving that his claims of self-defense were false.
(Photo courtesy of Red Huber of the Orlando Sentinel. Protesters block the entrance to the Sanford Police Department on Monday, April 9, 2012, as part of a call for civil disobedience in the Trayvon Martin case.)
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For more on Trayvon Martin, click on the links below.
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