HOUSTON – Houstonians reacted Wednesday to the second degree murder charges against Florida neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman.
"This is perfect. This is awesome. I'm glad they're jumping on it," Texas Southern University NAACP President Jylise Smith said.
Zimmerman admitted to shooting Trayvon Martin back in February. Zimmerman has said it was self-defense.
"I'm glad that, as America, we're doing something about this," Smith said.
Smith organized a rally last month and said she believed protests around the nation prompted the charged against Zimmerman.
"I think it played a huge part because they see, as Americans, we're against what happened," Smith said.
Community activist Quanell X said the pressure will continue.
"I think the system must recognize that they're not just dealing with Trayvon Martin anymore. They're dealing with an entire people in this country who are calling for justice," Quanell X said.
Florida prosecutors insisted the trial will play out in a courtroom and not the court of public opinion.
"Let me emphasize that we do not prosecute by public opinion. We prosecute based on the facts of any given case as well as the laws in the state of Florida," Florida Special Prosecutor Angela Corey said.
Zimmerman is in custody.
If he is found guilty of second-degree murder, he could get up to life in prison.