Trayvon Martin supporters rally on Boston Common

BOSTON (WHDH) -- A rally in Boston on Thursday called for the state to make sure a case similar to that of Trayvon Martin’s doesn't play out in Massachusetts.

Trayvon Martin supporters rallied on Boston Common expressing their relief that George Zimmerman has been arrested for the shooting of the Florida teenager. They also vowed to continue their fight against what they say is vigilantism and racial profiling.

“Trayvon Martin, he looks just like my grandson. And I’m here because I think the racial profiling of black men should stop,” said Deborah Shariff, a Trayvon Martin supporter.

“I’m just tired of getting racial-profiled up. The other day I was pulled over for no reason,” said Lewis Brown, a Trayvon Martin supporter.

“It’s another tragedy of a young person who had a future who is now dead. And it’s just a crime,” said Margaret Robinson, a Trayvon Martin supporter.

The group went to the State House to urge Massachusetts lawmakers to reject the so-called “Stand Your Ground” bill similar to the Florida law Zimmerman is using to claim self defense.

The bill’s author, Senator Stephen Brewer, called Trayvon Martin’s death “a tragedy” and says his bill would not have protected George Zimmerman. But, he says his proposal is, “a bill that will provide criminal and civil protection for responsible citizens acting in self defense.”

However, Trayvon Martin supporters who went to Senator Brewer’s office on Thursday disagree.

“The wild, wild west effect. You know, people are arming up walking out of their house with guns and knives and then using them in circumstances where they could retreat. And circumstances where deadly force is not necessary. We don’t need that in Massachusetts,” said Boston NAACP President Michael Curry.

The “Stand Your Ground” bill in Massachusetts is currently pending in a committee at the State House. The co-chairman of the committee says he is asking his colleagues to reject the bill because the current self defense laws in Massachusetts are adequate.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)