The unusually large demonstration for Philadelphia, which was comprised mostly of African Americans, followed protests in Florida and New York.
The protests are dubbed “Million Hoodie Marches” in memory of the victim, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was reportedly wearing a hoodie sweatshirt when he was shot last month in a gated community by a white volunteer security guard.
Reggie Conquest, 24, explained the symbolism of the hoodie and the suspicions that many black men face in urban settings.
“Being a big black guy, people get startled. They walk across the street. I’m a nice guy. When I see that, I take off my hoodie. I don’t want to startle nobody,” he said.
Late Thursday, up to 20,000 people rallied in the Florida town of Sanford, where Martin was killed by George Zimmerman.
