The rally and march, SCLC officials said, is intended to demand justice for Trayvon Martin and other victims of violence. Martin was shot and killed in Sanford on Feb. 26 by George Zimmerman, who has maintained the shooting occurred in self-defense.
SCLC Florida Chairman Art Rocker said the conference will also focus on voter registration, the impact of the BP oil spill and unreported cases of black Americans being killed.
“We are very excited to have our conference this year in Florida,” said Rocker. “Florida had the infrastructure for the conference, as we have some chapters that are very active here. Also, in light of the Trayvon Martin issue, we want to shape a discussion around the outcome of the case dealing with George Zimmerman, the man responsible for Trayvon’s untimely death.”
Some of the speakers during the conference are Congresswoman Corrine Brown; Civil Rights legend, Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian; Palmetto Ward 1 Commissioner, Charles Smith; Helen Butler, executive director of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda; legendary civil rights leader, Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Jr. and others.
The three-day conference began Thursday and is being held at the Courtyard Marriott in Lake Mary.
The conference will end with a rally at 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church at 700 S. Elm Ave. and noon march to Sanford’s City Hall at 300 N. Park Ave.