Wearing hoodies, Pa. lawmakers stand up for Trayvon Martin

More than a month after the death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, Pennsylvania lawmakers are joining in the nationwide wave of demonstrations calling for an investigation into the shooter.

House and Senate lawmakers donned hoodies Tuesday on the state Capitol steps to show their outrage.

 

Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia, says Martin’s death is symptomatic of systemic discrimination.

“We stand for justice for Trayvon to rectify and right the wrongs of this system that values young, black men’s lives less than everyone else,” Hughes said. “They are just as human as anyone else.

Two House Democrats suggested repealing the state’s “castle doctrine” law — which allows an individual to use self-defense if he or she is threatened with a weapon on his or her property.

The measure became law with the support of the state’s district attorneys, and experts say it’s a much milder version of Florida’s “stand your ground” law.

Martin was fatally shot in late February by a neighborhood watch volunteer.

George Zimmerman said he acted in self-defense and has not been charged.