Trayvon Martin case: Protest against Zimmerman's verdict

New York, July 15: The US saw a spate of protests after a Florida jury on Saturday found neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman not guilty of murdering an unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin, after a long and racially-charged trial.

Many peaceful demonstrations took place across the US, demanding justice for the 17-year -old Trayvon and questioning the fairness of the justice system.

The protests also took place in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, Boston, San Diego and Atlanta. In New York, protestors marched to Times Square while chanting "Justice for Trayvon Martin!''

29-year-old Zimmerman was facing charges of second-degree murder in the town of Sanford, eventually gunning down Trayvon during an altercation on the rainy night of February 26, 2012.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has appealed for restraint amid anger from civil rights activists and public protests against Zimmerman acquittal.

"We are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken," Obama said in a statement. "I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son."

"We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this. As citizens, that's a job for all of us. That's the way to honor Trayvon Martin," Obama said.

Earlier, Obama had spoken somberly on Trayvon, noting that if he had a son he would "look like Trayvon."

Initially, Florida police declined to press charges against Zimmerman, sparking mass protests but later he was arrested in April 2012.

OneIndia News