More than 1,000 gathered in Miami yesterday in support of Trayvon Martin, at a rally featuring speeches by Al Sharpton and Miami-Dade County's former police boss, along with other public figures. Retired Police Director Bobby Parker painted George Zimmerman as having "a dark heart" and slammed Sanford police for their handling of the case, the Miami Herald reports. "This is the time to take action. Trayvon Martin gave his life for this cause," Parker said.
Flanked onstage by Martin's parents and US Rep. Frederica Wilson, Sharpton said Zimmerman should be in court. "Your daddy said this, your brother said that, your friend said the other. Line ’em up and tell it to the judge!" he said. The rally also featured a performance by singers Betty Wright and Chaka Khan, as well as speeches by Miami city commissioners and Miami-Dade's schools superintendent. "Though I may cry, I believe Trayvon is proud of us as parents and proud of you as supporters," said his mother, Sybrina Fulton. (The weekend's big news in the case: Two experts say the cries on the 911 call weren't Zimmerman's.)