HOUSTON – Hundreds of protestors took their anger to Houston's streets, blocking traffic and even carrying a symbolic casket for Trayvon Martin right onto the highway. They wanted to send a dramatic message that could not be ignored.
Protestors said a not guilty verdict for George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin was a miscarriage of justice.
"At the end of the day, he was denied his basic human right to live," said protestor Ebony Lindsey.
"It really makes me feel unsafe being an African American teenager," said another protestor.
The demonstration started at a funeral home, where community activists and a crowd gathered demanding that racial profiling and prejudice end.
"We're also having the march to symbolize and remind people that we are standing up and fighting for a young man who was murdered and killed," said activist Quanell X. "He needs the community to speak for him."
From the funeral home, the crowd marched to Highway 288 at Southmore. Even with all lanes of traffic blocked, Houston police officers did not intervene.
The protest stayed mostly peaceful, but as drivers tried to avoid the crowd by pulling onto the grass, a few clashes broke out. An ambulance was allowed to pass.
"Drivers are upset," said protestor Delicia Waller. "Of course they are upset because they got places to go. But it felt good to be out there to stop something for once."
After about 15 minutes, Quanell X gave the order, as he stood on top of the casket in the middle of the freeway, for the crowd to disperse.
With traffic flowing again, protestors hoped their message lived on. Organizers also said they are planning another protest for Tuesday at noon downtown.