Pine Hills, FL (July 17, 2013) — Are you still feeling some kind of way about the Not Guilty Verdict in the Trayvon Martin Case – State of Florida vs. George Zimmerman trial?

If you have watched any news reports since the verdict on late Saturday night, you know you are not alone in feeling angry, sad, disappointed about the verdict.

You may be wondering what you can do to affect change in our judicial system and in the minds of people. (A jury of six women acquitted Zimmerman, former armed neighborhood watch volunteer, of all charges in the shooting death of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February 2012 in Sanford, FL)

People are rallying together in major cities, praying together as a community, signing national online petitions to the U.S. Department of Justice for civil right charges against Zimmerman and posting their feelings on every other social media outlet.

In Central Florida, many events/rallies are planned over the next few weeks so you can get out and get involved and be a part of something positive and make a difference.

Here’s a list of some of those Central Florida events:

• A rally and march today, Wednesday, July 17, at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando. Time: 6 p.m. Details: Meet at the park and march to the Orange County Courthouse. March against Gun Violence.
• The National Action Network, Central Florida chapter, plan a Community Forum “After the Verdict: The Next Step.” Thursday, July 18 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville. Time: 7 p.m. Details: The main purpose of the community forum is talk about the trial and other issues affecting  African Americans, other racial and communities of color.
•  Rev. Al Sharpton recently announced national plans for vigils and rallies in 100 cities this weekend to press for federal civil rights  charges against George Zimmerman. Saturday, July 20. Time: Noon. Details: Justice for Trayvon National Day of Action. Activities to take place in front of federal court buildings in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and New York.  Locally: In Orlando – Federal Court Building, 80 N. Hughey Avenue, Downtown Orlando. Immediately afterward, there will be an Open Forum at Mt. Zion M.B. International Church, 535 W. Washington Street. In Daytona Beach – 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, at the corner of South Beach Street and Orange Avenue between Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Daytona Beach City Hall.
• “The Verdict: A Legal Conversation” Panel Discussion and Conversation. Wednesday, July 24. Time: 7:06 p.m. Details: The event, sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha – Delta Xi Lambda chapter, will be held at the Florida A&M College of Law, 201 Beggs Ave., Orlando, FL 32801. Panel speakers to include Florida Senator Geraldine Thompson and Attorney Natalie Jackson.

Information gathered from online news sources and community events

© Orlando Community News, 2013