Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/146256
Sarasota News Leader July 26, 2013 Page 25 criminal laws — everything from the death penalty to enforcement of our drug laws. And that ends up having an impact in terms of how people interpret the case." Immanuel Dent told The Sarasota News Leader he organized the 1 p.m. rally on July 20 to draw attention to deaths like Martin's that go unexamined. "There's a Trayvon Martin right here in Sarasota, FL, and his name is Rodney Mitchell," said Dent. Mitchell was shot by Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies during a traffic stop last June. His mother, Natasha Clemons, participated in Saturday's rallies, and told the News Leader she's still fighting to get answers about her son's death. The office of then-State Attorney Earl Moreland called Mitchell's shooting a "justifiable use of deadly force" made during "rapidly unfolding and unexpected circumstances" after a traffic stop for what deputies said was a "seat belt violation." Like Martin, Mitchell was unarmed. George Zimmerman's mug shot was released by Seminole County after he was arrested in connection with Trayvon Martin's 2012 death. Image from Seminole County via Wikimedia Commons Supporters of Mitchell's family passed around a flyer with details about the case, as well as a postcard with images of a smiling Mitch- of Saturday's rally was "no violence, nothing ell next to the famous photo of Martin in his of that sort." hoodie. A third rally took place Saturday af- "Justice," he said. "That's it." ternoon, near the site of Mitchell's death. As the rally moved from the Justice Center to "They won't do anything," said Clemons, re- U.S. 301, the crowd shouted call-and-response ferring to investigators. "If it was justified, I chants. "Fired up! Ready to go!" "Trayvon! need to know how it was justified." Martin!" "No justice! No peace!" Dent told the News Leader he himself was Isolated honks blared from passing cars. Rain a "victim of racial profiling" and that he was began falling, but the crowd stayed put as beaten up by police officers during his time in drops splattered on their homemade signs, Sarasota. He said both the Martin and Mitchsmearing the ink. ell cases are personal to him because he has a 6-month-old son. He added that the mission "Justice!" the ralliers shouted. "Now!" %