Hundreds attend vigil for Trayvon Martin

Lois Santer, 78, understood that racism still existed. But until the story of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin's death touched off a national debate about racial profiling, she said she never understood how widespread and insidious the problem was.

Santer said she never knew about "the talk" many parents of young black men have with their sons, in which they explain that some people view black men with suspicion, and advise them to act calmly and politely if ever stopped by a police officer.

"This was something I never thought about," Santer said. "As a mother, you worry when your child doesn't come home on time. I realize now that if I was a mother of a black son, I never would have slept. I would have never wanted to let him go out!

Santer was one of several hundred people of all ages and races who gathered at LOVE Park Monday evening for a vigil held so that people could both voice support of Martin's family, and call for the arrest of George Zimmerman, the town watch volunteer who shot and killed Martin in Sanford, Florida last month.

Buffeted by bracing winds, members of the group held signs and banners with Martin's face on them, and messages such as, "We are all Trayvon Martin." A saxophone player performed "Amazing Grace," and a few people held candles. Many attendees wore hoodies similar to the hooded sweatshirt Martin was wearing when he was killed.

Tammyrae Barr, a civil engineer, work a pink hoodie in honor of Martin.

"For me, we will never have equality unless we have justice for all people," she said.

After the rally, about 100 protesters marched along Market Street to Police Headquarters at 8th and Race, continuing to call for Zimmerman's arrest.

Desiree Thompson, who attended the rally with her aunt, has a 3-year-old son. She said she fears that when he is older, he won't even be able to walk to the corner store safely.

"It's heartbreaking, but for every Trayvon, there are hundreds who go unrecognized," she said.

Martin, a black teenager from Miami Gardens who was visiting Sanford with his father, was shot Feb. 26 during a scuffle with Zimmerman. Martin was unarmed and had been returning from a trip to a 7-Eleven, where he bought a bag of Skittles and an iced tea.

Zimmerman, 28, spotted Martin and began following him, and called police to report "suspicious" behavior. He has said he acted in self-defense and was released by police after questioning.

On Monday, more details were emerging about Zimmerman and Martin. In Zimmerman's account to police, published by the Orlando Sentinel, he said he was walking back to his car when Martin came after him and punched him in the face.

Also Monday, a school report cited by the Miami Herald indicated Martin was suspended twice in the last year, including last month after traces of marijuana were found in a plastic baggie in his book bag. The state Department of Juvenile Justice confirmed Martin did not have a juvenile offender record.

A special prosecutor is investigating the case, and a Grand Jury is set to take it up next month.

The case ignited a national firestorm, with protesters staging demonstrations in New York, Miami and other major cities. A march on Friday from 30th Street Station to LOVE Park drew a crowd that was estimated at between 5,000 to 8,000.

In an interview with MSNBC Sunday morning, Mayor Nutter called the killing "nothing short of an assassination."

On Monday night, many attendees said that hearing Zimmerman's account to police did not change their feelings - Zimmerman still should face charges for killing an unarmed teenager.

"Let's work through the courts," Thompson said. "That's all we're asking."

Nasir, 14, who lives in Southwest Philadelphia but did not want to give his last name, said he came to the rally because he took the shooting personally.

"If Trayvon looked suspicious to him, it makes me think, would I look suspicious to him?" he asked.

Inquirer staff writer Miriam Hill and the Associated Press contributed to this article.