Candlelight Vigil for Trayvon Martin

Philadelphians again showed their support for the family of Trayvon Martin on Monday evening.

Just three days after the “Million Hoodie March” drew close to 8,000 participants in a walk from 30th Street Station to Love Park, people again gathered Monday night in support of Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old Florida teen who was shot to death last month by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman

Organized on Facebook via a group named Philly4Trayvon, Monday’s Candlelight Vigil began at 6:30 in Love Park. It was described as “a stand in solidarity with the Martin family to demand justice for Trayvon Martin.”

“We want people to bring their passion but we don’t want it to be an angry mob,” community activist Chris Norris, the rally organizer, told NBC10 last week. “What we want to do is have this be a platform where we can talk about how we can use this to leverage unity.”

On Monday, the Orlando Sentinel published Zimmerman’s account of the incident to police that has been corroborated by many witnesses, in which he says he shot the teenager in self-defense. In Zimmerman’s words, “he had turned around and was walking back to his SUV when Trayvon approached him from behind, the two exchanged words then Trayvon punched him in the nose, sending him to the ground, and began beating him. Zimmerman told police he shot the teenager in self-defense.”

Zimmerman has not spoken publicly about what happened on the evening of Feb. 26.

Jesse Washington, the Associated Press’ National Writer on Race and Ethnicity who also lives in Philadelphia, penned a commentary on the controversy titled “Trayvon Martin, My Son, And the Black Male Code.” In it, he describes having to tell his 12-year-old son about the Black Male Code.

“As I explained it, the Code goes like this: Always pay close attention to your surroundings, son, especially if you are in an affluent neighborhood where black folks are few. Understand that even though you are not a criminal, some people might assume you are, especially if you are wearing certain clothes. Never argue with police, but protect your dignity and take pride in humility. When confronted by someone with a badge or a gun, do not flee, fight, or put your hands anywhere other than up. Please don't assume, son, that all white people view you as a threat. America is better than that. Suspicion and bitterness can imprison you. But as a black male, you must go above and beyond to show strangers what type of person you really are.”

Those who attended Monday's rally also spoke on the incident which has sparked a national movement.

"It's just sad that the man just shot him and they're not doing anything about it," said Tahj Wheeler of Northeast Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Mayor Nutter referred to Martin's death as an "assassination" during a Sunday appearance on MSNBC. The Mayor also attended Monday's rally where he shared more of his thoughts regarding the teen's death.

"Trayvon Martin is dead," said Mayor Nutter. "There was no apparent weapon. He did not appear to be a threat and Mr. Zimmerman killed him. We need to get some answers."

Those who attended Monday's rally signed their names on portraits of Trayvon. Rally organizers say it was part of a pledge for peace and justice as well as a call for Zimmerman's arrest. Many also say they believe race played a role in the shooting.

"I think we're all getting tired of racial profiling and just the violence that is inflicted on our young people," said Jarma Frisby of Mount Airy.

"I'm a hardworking, taxpaying American citizen," said Gary Sharp of Burlington Township. "I get home from work and my son tells me at the dinner table, 'Dad, I got a WWB today.' I'm thinking it's some new hip hop parlance that I'm unaware of so I asked him to define that for me. He said 'walking while black.'"