Local advocates of a guilty verdict in the upcoming Florida murder trial of George Zimmerman will hold a rally Saturday afternoon in Gastonia.
The “Prayer Service for Justice” will begin at 4 p.m. at Neely’s Grove AME Zion Church, at 3321 S. New Hope Road. Supporters will remember Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old who police say was shot and killed by Zimmerman in Sanford, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2012.
Zimmerman, 29, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and his trial will begin with jury selection Monday.
On Sunday, several passenger vans filled with supporters of Martin will depart from Gastonia to attend the trial in Florida. Saturday’s event will serve as a type of sendoff for them, officials say.
The gathering is being coordinated by activist John Barnett of True Healing Under God Ministries and Pastor Luke Curry of Neely’s Grove church.
“Obviously, our intent is to pray earnestly that true justice is done,” Curry said in an email. “We must remind ourselves to pray for peace and non-violence regardless of the outcome. We are inviting persons from all communities to come and share in this important prayer service.”
Attendants are being urged to each bring a bag of Skittles in Martin’s honor. He was reportedly carrying a bag of the candy when he was shot.
For more information about the rally, call Barnett at 704-713-0448 or Curry at 704-868-6465.
You can reach Michael Barrett at 704-869-1826 or twitter.com/GazetteMike.