By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
Gastonia civil rights activist John C. Barnette is returning to Salisbury to hold a rally in the name of slain Florida teen Trayvon Martin.
Barnette, who throughout 2010 led meetings in Salisbury protesting what he called police brutality, also plans a Kannapolis rally to protest the death of Martin, a 17-year-old fatally shot Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla., by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman.
The Salisbury rally will be held at 2 p.m. April 14 at Thomas Street Church of Christ, 700 W. Thomas St.
Martin’s shooting has sparked protests around the county and petitions calling for Zimmerman’s arrest.
The founder of THUG (True Healing Under God) Ministries, Barnette said the incident could have happened anywhere, even Salisbury.
He has already led prayer vigils and rallies in Charlotte and Gastonia, where he said more than 300 attended.
Barnette is asking people who attend the Salisbury rally to bring a bag of Skittles and wear hoodies.
Martin, who was wearing a hoodie the night he was killed, was carrying a bag of Skittles and a bottle of iced tea.
Barnette said the Skittles brought to the Salisbury rally will be donated to the church’s youth organizations and to local boys and girls clubs or groups.
Salisbury Police officials said since the rally is taking place indoors, Barnette did not need to obtain a permit.
A date has not been set for the planned Kannapolis rally.
For more information about the rally, contact Barnette via Facebook at www.facebook.com/thugcivilrights .
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.