Vigils held across US over Trayvon Martin verdict

8220;The death of my son,we believe,has to make changes in our society and repeal the laws that allow to kill somebody just because someone thinks he is suspect,8221; Tracy Martin said in Miami.

Superstar couple Jay Z and Beyonce joined a crowd of several thousand at a Manhattan rally addressed by Trayvon8217;s mother,Sybrina Fulton,and civil rights leader Al Sharpton.

Briefly overcome with emotion as she thanked the crowd for turning out,Fulton vowed to keep fighting to ensure her son8217;s death leads to meaningful change but pleaded for campaigners to ensure the protests did not spill over into unrest.

8220;Trayvon would be proud,8221; she told the crowd. 8220;Not only do I have to do what I have to do for Trayvon,I8217;m going to work for your children as well.8221;

In Miami,between 300 and 500 people turned out for the rally outside the city8217;s civic center,wearing T-shirts with pictures of Trayvon and messages like 8220;We want justice,equal justice.8221;

But a heavy downpour dispersed the crowd just after noon,and some participants expressed disappointment at the small turnout near the historic African American neighbourhood of Overton.

8220;You see only black people,when this should be a Hispanic,white issue,8221; said Marie Falaise,39,a Miami resident born in Haiti.

The protests came a day after President Barack Obama publicly identified with the slain 17-year-old and the deep frustrations felt among African Americans over the verdict.

8220;Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago,8221; Obama told reporters yesterday. The president8217;s remarks his most expansive since a Florida jury8217;s decision one week ago to acquit neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman was applauded by many at today8217;s vigils.

Praising the 8220;incredible grace and dignity8221; shown by Martin8217;s parents through the ordeal,Obama said 8220;some soul-searching8221; on race was in order and it was understandable that there be protests and vigils. But he said a resort to violence would 8220;dishonor8221; Martin8217;s death.

The 29-year-old Zimmerman,who said he acted in self defense,fatally shot Martin in the chest on the rainy night of February 26,2012,during an altercation in a gated community in Sanford,Florida.