'Hoodie' service aims to shed light on racial profiling

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A Stone Mountain church dedicated its service to the family of Trayvon Martin, a Florida teen shot and killed by a neighborhood watchman.

Parishioners at Victory for the World Church sung and prayed as usual, but instead of wearing their "Sunday's Best," they wore hoodies to raise awareness on racial profiling.

Pastor Kenneth Samuel believes racial profiling instigated the shooting of Martin.

"We want people of faith to understand that in addition to praying, we need to act, we've got to keep up the public pressure and be vigilant for the civil rights of all people," Samuel said.

Channel 2's Sophia Choi spoke to church members, who said the rally demonstrated their support of Martin's family.
"We never understand their pain, but we feel them," Shawn Perry said.

"We just want justice to be done, good, bad or whatever," added Jesse Hill.

As part of the solitary effort, participants covered their heads -- not in submission -- but in hoodies, to show support for Martin's family and for anyone else dealing with discrimination.

The pastor said he hopes this service will energize people to go into their communities and actively work to end racial profiling by discussing and educating others about the issue.

WSBTV