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Thousands rally at Capitol

By ALEX LEARY and AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published April 21, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - Led by two of the nation's civil rights leaders and the parents of a teenager who died after a beating at a North Florida boot camp, 2,000 protesters flooded the state Capitol on Friday for an emotional, racially charged rally demanding justice.

The marchers arrived just before 10 a.m., chanting "No justice, no peace," and waving poster-size pictures of 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson in an open casket.

Demonstrators were emboldened by a sit-in this week outside Gov. Jeb Bush's office, the governor's subsequent call for a conclusion to the investigation, and Thursday's surprise resignation of the head of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, who drew sharp criticism for his handling of the case.

Protesters held firmly to additional goals: The arrests of the guards involved in the Jan. 5 beating of Anderson and punishment for the officials they say tried to cover it up.

"I should be at class, I should be getting ready for graduation, but I'm here instead, because right now, this is more important," said Tampa resident and Florida State senior Toni Hamilton, 21. "It's a travesty that something like this has happened and nothing is being done."

Anderson's parents, Gina Jones and Robert Anderson, arrived arm-in-arm with the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Jones, 36, of Panama City, appeared both weary and distressed, her solemn expression breaking only briefly as the Tallahassee Boys Choir broke into song and dance. She said her own boy was on her mind.

"I know he knows Mama's fighting," Jones said afterward. "And I'm going to continue to fight for Martin. He gave his life away to save others."

Sharpton, standing at a lectern with the Old Capitol behind him, scoffed at the initial autopsy that concluded Anderson died from sickle cell trait, not a beating. He invoked the videotape showing the incident at the bay County boot camp as irrefutable criminal evidence.

"If you want to know why they ought to arrest today those men that beat Martin Anderson, just go the tape. If you want to know why students are standing in the state plaza rather than in class, go to the tape."

Robyn Burrell, a 20-year-old pre-med student at FAMU, wore a Band-Aid over her eye in a reference to Anderson's beating. The point of the march, she said, was to send a message to Bush.

"I hope he sees how important this is to us, and I know he says he can't do anything about it," Burrell said. "But he can support us, and go to the people who can do something and they can find justice."

After they spoke, Sharpton and Jackson met privately with Bush for 20 minutes, at one point holding hands in prayer. The governor reasserted he was seeking a swift conclusion to the investigation "because there's a lot of doubts and concerns."

Bush sent a letter to Hillsborough State Attorney Mark Ober on Thursday asking the prosecutor to probe elements of a suspected cover-up, including why Anderson's body was brought back to Bay County for the original autopsy. After the beating, Anderson was taken to a hospital in Escambia County.

Also Thursday, FDLE Commissioner Guy Tunnell abruptly resigned amid several controversies, including the boot camps. Tunnell started the Bay County program while he was sheriff there in 1994. While his agency looked into the death, Tunnell sent e-mail to his successor, Frank McKeithen, that lashed out at boot camp critics.

Sharpton noted the resignation but said more was needed. "We want arrests. We want indictments. We want prosecution."

The crowd roared in agreement.

The protest began shortly before 9 a.m. at the Leon County Civic Center, a third of a mile from the Capitol. Florida A&M University students arrived from the south, Florida State students marched in from the west.

The students were the motivating force behind the rally, according to the law firm representing the Anderson family. After reading about the case in newspapers, they began organizing meetings and showing the video on campus.

Speaking through a megaphone, student leader Gabriel Pendas said that together, the students could command change. "We need to let them know right now that they can no longer deny justice for Martin Lee Anderson," said Pendas, 23, the president of the FSU student senate.

The students formed a line behind Jackson and Sharpton, who locked hands with Anderson's family and led the 20-minute uphill march to the capitol. They sang songs, including one they created as a tribute to the 14-year-old.

"We're here marching, that's the least we can do," said Andria Harrell, 24, of St. Petersburg, a FAMU pharmacy student.

"It is us, the younger generations, that are trying to make a change and a difference," said Harrell, who ran from an early Friday class to make the morning rally.

Katisa Donaldson, who teaches social work at FAMU, said while colleagues were preparing for final exams next week, she needed to be here with the students.

So did Frankie Jones, a 53-year-old Tallahassee resident. "Wrong has occurred," Jones said. "It must be righted."

[Last modified April 21, 2006, 22:24:35]