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Local lawmakers wear hoodies in support of Trayvon

Reported by: Steve Cooper | Follow Steve on Twitter
Posted: 03/28/12 at 5:30 pm    Updated: 03/28/12 at 7:47 pm
Tags: Cheryl Coakley-Rivera Trayvon Martin hoodie  

BOSTON (WHDH) -- Local lawmakers have joined the calls for justice, wearing hoodies similar to Trayvon Martin’s.

From Beacon Hill to Capitol Hill, lawmakers are showing up to work wearing hoodies to show solidarity with supporters of Trayvon Martin.

The African American teenager was shot to death in Florida last month by George Zimmerman, a volunteer neighborhood watchman, who claims self defense.

Zimmerman hasn’t been charged with anything by police, touching off a national outcry over racial profiling.

State Representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera of Springfield said about a dozen of her colleagues wore hoodies on Wednesday.

“I called for Reps. to join me with a hoodie on, obviously to call for justice for Trayvon and his family, and to bring awareness to racial stereotyping that caused Trayvon to be murdered,” State Rep. Coakley-Rivera said.

“Just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum,” said Representative Bobby Bush.

In Washington, D.C., there were dramatic moments on the house floor when Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush was kicked out of the chamber while delivering a speech in tribute of the slain teen. Rush was escorted out after taking off his suit jacket, revealing a hoodie, and putting on sunglasses.

(Copyright (c) 2012 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

(Copyright (c) 2013 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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