As politicians in Tallahassee take a closer look at Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, college students are taking action of their own – one step at a time.
In the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Miami Gardens teenager Trayvon Martin, the students began walking for justice for Martin Friday in a park in Daytona Beach. Their destination is the Seminole County courthouse in Sanford, 40 miles away, where they intend to arrive on Sunday.
Stephen Green of Morehouse College says the students are walking “one mile for each day justice has not been served.”
Florida State graduate Vanessa Baden came from California to help lead the group, which is called Dream Defenders. She said Martin’s shooter, George Zimmerman, needs to be arrested.
"We aren't trying to try him in the court of public opinion," Baden said. "We completely believe in the system and we understand that in order for the system to do its job, the process has to start, and that has to start with an arrest."
Daytona Beach Police assisted the students to get them started safely.
Martin was visiting with his father at his father's girlfriend's home in the gated community and had gone to buy a bag of Skittles and iced tea at a nearby convenience store and was walking back when the shooting happened.
Though Martin was unarmed, Zimmerman told police the shooting was self-defense, and no charges have been filed in the case. Zimmerman remains in hiding, though his attorney, Craig Sonner said Monday that Zimmerman would surrender to authorities if he's charged.
