As news spread of the jury’s acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin on Saturday evening, social networks and cable channels buzzed with heated reactions. But Tweeting only goes so far, and people who wanted a stronger, more public way to express their displeasure with the verdict and support for Trayvon flocked to the streets for spontaneous protests in cities around the country.
From San Francisco to Sanford, Florida; Atlanta to Washington, late Saturday night and Sunday saw people flooding into the streets. Several cities had braced for riots in the event of an acquittal, but most of the marches were peaceful demonstrations of the verdict.
Here, a look at some of the images and words from impromptu protests, marches, vigils, and gatherings from across the country.
In New York:
times square #TrayvonMartin pic.twitter.com/LdBRjOgFkD
— Macey J. Foronda (@maceyjforonda) July 15, 2013
Sticker being handed out at NY march protesting Trayvon Martin trial verdict. #DontForgetTrayvon pic.twitter.com/k2zNBUVOak
— Meliannos (@meliannos) July 14, 2013
Inklings of a #Trayvon protest in #Harlem at ACP plaza pic.twitter.com/YOeBIwOr2g
— Emily Ngo (@epngo) July 14, 2013
Trayvon Martin protest in Times Square via @TRAPAHOLICS pic.twitter.com/uiVhJfuR1b
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) July 15, 2013
We are all Trayvon. Manif New York Union Square. pic.twitter.com/P8eK9rB6AU
— Jean-Bernard Cadier (@jbcadier) July 14, 2013
I left, but looks like Trayvon Martin march made it up to Times Square. pic from Brian Brooks pic.twitter.com/xbSqqFgAgL
— Versha Sharma (@versharma) July 15, 2013
In Washington:
PHOTO: Protests in D.C. in support of #Trayvon #Martin. #TrayvonMartin #GeorgeZimmerman #JusticeForTrayvon pic.twitter.com/I9UOmISftz
— Michael Kandel (@Mkandel) July 14, 2013
Trayvon Martin Protest March WashDC 7-14-2013... http://t.co/B46xN01UCh <-> pic.twitter.com/GcAi6W5y3v
— LiMiT Images Search (@LiMiTImages) July 15, 2013
#trayvon protest signs in DC pic.twitter.com/iCed8erZ3W
— Will Sommer (@willsommer) July 14, 2013
Outside Dept. of Justice: a quiet protest for #trayvon. @ABC7News pic.twitter.com/1IEIkKpeQZ
— Hatzel Vela (@hatzelvela) July 15, 2013
In Chicago:
Young boy holds up "We Are All Trayvon Martin" sign up at the #Chicago #JusticeForTrayvon march pic.twitter.com/WIWuRDKbdb
— m_x (@soit_goes) July 14, 2013
Tonite in Chicago: a rally & march for Trayvon Martin. Another planned for noon Sunday at Daley Plaza, pic.twitter.com/jINgnHQB1r
— Bob Simpson (@BobboSphere) July 14, 2013
100's of fists in the air in a moment of silence for #Trayvon #justicefortrayvon #Chicago pic.twitter.com/63CehX0J6t
— danielle (@daneyvilla) July 14, 2013
#JusticeForTrayvon march in Chicago stretching over a city block chanting "No justice, no peace, no racist police" pic.twitter.com/HwsXDVqPdL
— m_x (@soit_goes) July 14, 2013
In San Francisco:
Loud but peaceful protest of perhaps 200 at 24th St BART plaza against #Trayvon Martin verdict. pic.twitter.com/3Hhi7KpaKW
— Jeff Elder (@JeffElder) July 14, 2013
Hundreds march in #Trayvon Martin protest in San Francisco pic.twitter.com/UegiGAgSAe
— robinwilkey (@robinwilkey) July 14, 2013
Photo: Trayvon Martin march happening now in San Francisco (KGO) - pic.twitter.com/aMgYSDKOls
— Matthew Keys (@MatthewKeysLive) July 15, 2013
In St. Louis:
@blackvoices Rally in St. Louis at the Justice Center pic.twitter.com/3nDl82FAHZ
— Yvonne P. (@yvonnelouise) July 15, 2013
In Newark:
We will protest for justice for trayvon #justicefortrayvon #nojustice #nopeace @SybrinaFulton @BTraymartin9 #NJSUPPOR pic.twitter.com/GlgKCbarv5
— MIZZ_BADDAZZ (@Neato89) July 14, 2013
In Los Angeles:
Crowd of 100+ gathered in Leimert Park Plaza to protest Trayvon Martin verdict. pic.twitter.com/wSToJlgxi4 via @kaceymontoya
— LAist (@LAist) July 14, 2013
In Milwaukee:
Trayvon protest in Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/5L2yKkEKFm
— nicholas santiago (@MrNick00) July 15, 2013
In Miami:
In Charlotte:
In Houston:
@blackvoices Houston pic.twitter.com/iDZXzWsnvw
— Modern Crusades (@MoSoFrio) July 15, 2013
In Atlanta:
In Oakland, however, the protests were more violent, as HuffPost's Carly Schwartz reported. Some demonstrators broke windows on area businesses, started small fires and vandalized a police car.
Protesters burn American flags, smash police cars in #Oakland following #Zimmerman's verdict http://t.co/0eNHewI6Rt pic.twitter.com/7Ip9z3r4Kn
— RT (@RT_com) July 14, 2013
Child protester wears sign in Oakland: I am Trayvon #trayvon #trayvonmartin pic.twitter.com/65NKUlOEzl
— HuffPost SF (@HuffPostSF) July 15, 2013
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Posted: 07/14/2013 3:14 am EDT | Updated: 07/15/2013 2:58 pm EDT