Bergen County NAACP To Hold Trayvon Martin Vigil

The Bergen County Chapter of the NAACP will hold a “Justice for Trayvon” vigil on the steps of the county courthouse in Hackensack Thursday, the organization announced.

"We are asking parents to bring their children, friends and those who believe the legacy of Trayvon must not die,” an announcement from the NAACP said.

The vigil comes as the NAACP is calling for the U.S. Justice Department to bring federal charges against George Zimmerman, a Florida neighborhood watch volunteer who was acquitted in the killing of Martin.  

Zimmerman fatally shot the unarmed, black 17-year-old Feb. 26, 2012 in what his defense attorneys described as self-defense. The death touched off a national debate over race, the criminal justice system and self defense laws.

Anthony Cureton, president of the Bergen County NAACP chapter, said the vigil would include speeches by elected officials, local clergy and address other civil rights issues, NJ.com reported.

"Even though we're talking about Trayvon Martin, it's all collectively involved - the voting rights act, Stand Your Ground laws, issues of racial profiling," Cureton told NJ.com.

The Zimmerman verdict has prompted protests around North Jersey, including in Newark and Jersey City. Last year, hundreds protested the teen’s killing at a march  in Englewood.

The vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Bergen County Courthouse at 10 Main Street.