Atlanta, GA - In Atlanta, birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King and cradle of the American civil rights movement, the acquittal of George Zimmerman has struck a strong chord. In the wake of last week’s controversial not-guilty verdict, Atlanta-based civil and human rights leader Rev. Markel Hutchins is spearheading a non-violent and peaceful “I Am Trayvon Martin” Prayer Vigil and Rally on the front steps of the Richard B. Russell Federal Building in downtown Atlanta. Set for tomorrow, Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 12:00 noon ET, the protest is in coordination with similar demonstrations being held in 100 cities nationwide called for by Rev. Al Sharpton and his National Action Network.
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Hundreds of preachers and local community leaders around the country will hold coordinated assemblies in front of federal buildings on Saturday to demand the United States Justice Department prosecute civil rights violations that may have led to the death of the Sanford, Florida teenager and the subsequent acquittal of George Zimmerman. The Atlanta effort is expected to be among the largest.
As public demands for justice and federal intervention continue to mount, and as racial tensions loom, a vast and diverse crowd is expected to converge to honor the slain 17-year-old. Ordinary citizens will join leaders, clergy, entertainers, public officials, radio personalities, and members of various civil rights organizations including the National Action Network, NAACP, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, SCLC, and other local, regional and national groups.
Rev. Markel Hutchins, civil rights leader, businessman and renowned Baptist preacher based in Atlanta, Georgia and heeding Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s call to “make a career of humanity,” Hutchins has gained a national reputation advocating for fairness and justice. With an uncanny ability to rally diverse people around a common cause, Hutchins has a long history of addressing contemporary social challenges, particularly those relating to minority communities and the economically disadvantaged.
Rev. Hutchins, along with a diverse group of leading clergy and social activists including Rev. Dr. Rafael Warnock of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church; Rev. Frank Brown of the Concerned Black Clergy of Atlanta; Rev. Timothy McDonald of the national African American Ministers’ Leadership Council; Dr. Gerald Durley of the Regional Council of Churches; prominent civil rights attorneys; and other influential community leaders convened by the 35-year-old social activist, have mobilized more than 50 partnering organization who will assemble to demand the United States Department of Justice pursue federal charges against Zimmerman relative to Martin’s death.
According to Hutchins, “the multiple legal, moral and sociological tragedies surrounding Trayvon’s death continue to expose the ever-present racial tensions that our nation must not attempt to ignore.” He continued, “the Justice department must act swiftly to deliver justice in this case.” Dr. Warnock, senior pastor at Martin Luther King Jr.'s Ebenezer Baptist Church says, "Trayvon Benjamin Martin is dead because he and other black boys and men like him are seen not as a person but a problem."
The prayer vigil and rally is expected to last about 75 minutes beginning promptly at 12:00 noon. The Richard B. Russell Federal Building is located at 75 Spring Street, SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Participants are encouraged to take public transportation to the GA Dome/GWCC/Phillips’ Arena/CNN Center or the Five Points MARTA stations.
The Public, with like-minded goals of a peaceful demonstration, are encouraged to attend.
NOTE:
Load-in for live media trucks onto Spring Street, is from 10:00am - 11:00am ET.
On-site logistical contact for media is Judy Jones, revmarkelmedia@gmail.com (mailto:revmarkelmedia@gmail.com) or (404) 997-1668.
List of speakers will be released upon request tomorrow morning at 10:30am.
