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Sharpton: "Sanford Risks Reputation"


Reverend Al Sharpton warned Sanford commissioners Monday night that the Trayvon Martin case could damage the reputation of their city. Sharpton and other civil rights leaders spoke at a public meeting on the one month anniversary of Martin's death.

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Thousands of people marched through the streets before the meeting in Sanford’s civic center.

About 500 people packed into the center to air their concerns about the case. Hundreds more crowded into nearby Fort Mellon Park to watch the meeting on big screens.

Martin’s parents called again for the arrest of George Zimmerman, the man who shot their son.

Referencing civil rights battlegrounds of 50 years ago, Al Sharpton told commissioners Sanford risks "going down as the Birmingham and Selma of the 21st Century."

“You are making the world know you as a place of racial intolerance and double standards," he said.

Jesse Jackson also spoke at the meeting, telling the commissioners that the eyes of the whole world are on Sanford and Florida.

“Where do you stand on justice for Trayvon?," he asked, before entreating them to seek a speedy arrest of Zimmerman.

Sheriff's Deputy Keeps an Eye on Protest 

Sanford's Mayor, Jeff Triplett, earlier in the day called for calm amidst the demonstrations. His plea was echoed by one of the Martin family lawyers, Natalie Jackson, who addressed the crowd in Fort Mellon Park.

“Those who seek the attention, with their agendas, with their bounties, with their vigilante-ism, if you are not here to be in peace, you are not welcome," said Jackson.

"We are here to send a message of hope, not hate.” 

The New Black Panther party has put up a 10 thousand dollar reward for Zimmerman’s capture.

So far protests in Central Florida which gained momentum last week have all been peaceful.

In Sanford Monday T-shirt vendors lined the streets along with hot dog and barbecue stands. Demonstrators proudly displayed their hand made signs, including one who flew a kite high above the park with a message of support for Trayvon Martin.

Law enforcement kept a watchful eye on the day's events, but Sanford police kept a low profile.

T-shirt vendor 

 

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