Georgians join rally over shooting of unarmed Florida teen

ATLANTA — Hundreds of Georgians are joining the fight for justice in the controversial shooting of a Central Florida teen.

Participants met at a church parking lot on Moreland Avenue at 5:30 a.m. and departed for Sanford, Fla. At 6:30 a.m.

Hundreds of people have already gathered, protesting the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

George Zimmerman, 24, a neighborhood watch volunteer, shot and killed Martin in a Sanford neighborhood in February, claiming self-defense. The shooting's racial overtones, Zimmerman is Hispanic and Martin was black, are sparking national attention.

Martin was unarmed and walking back from buying candy at a nearby gas station during half-time of the NBA All-Star game.

Many protesters believe police botched the investigation and that the shooting was a hate crime. Zimmerman was never arrested, but Sanford's police chief announced Thursday afternoon that he is stepping down temporarily. 

The group from Atlanta will join a rally Thursday night led by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

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WSBTV