Troiano: 'Stand Up for Trayvon Martin,' Attend Rally

The public outcry in response to the fatal shooting of Florida teen Trayvon Martin has spread across the nation and on Saturday, local residents will be demonstrating their outrage over the incident.

Hempstead Village officials are holding a rally on the steps of their village hall on March 31 at 1 p.m. and Nassau County Legis. Robert Troiano is encouraging the public to attend.

Troiano represents District 2, which includes the Lakeview section of West Hempstead, and is very passionate about protecting the rights of minorities.

"Thirty-two days ago Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old African-American male, was fatally shot in the chest by a self-appointed Neighborhood Watch vigilante," Troiano said. Martin's killer, George Zimmerman, has yet to be arrested and charged in the shooting, as he maintains he was acting in self-defense.

"As if an unjustified killing of a young man isn't tragic enough, over the last 72 hours there has been a sustained effort to kill Trayvon’s reputation, too," Troiano added. "Irrelevant statements have been released by segments of the media intent on coloring the public's perceptions of Trayvon."

These reports have included allegations that Martin was dealing drugs and that he attacked Zimmerman the night of the shooting.

"Enough is enough!" says Troiano, who will be attending the rally. "It’s time for all of us concerned about justice to stand up for Trayvon ... and his parents."
                   
Patch has also learned that will also participate in the demonstration.

The "Stand Your Ground Rally" will be held at 1 p.m. on March 31 on the steps of Hempstead Village Hall, which is located at 99 Nicholls Court in Hempstead.

Will you be attending the rally? What do you think of the Trayvon Martin case? Tell us in the comments section below.