Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Zimmerman protests enter 5th night in Los Angeles as people say they seek justice for Trayvon Martin (Update)
UPDATE 8:41 p.m.: Protesters return to La Cienega Park
The peaceful protest that started at La Cienega Park in Beverly Hills and made its way down Wilshire Boulevard has now returned to the park. Beverly Hills police there have been no problems. About 100 people participated in the march.
Some protesters are still gathered at the park, reading poems and making speeches.
PREVIOUSLY: People in Los Angeles continue to protest the not guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman trial. On Wednesday, protesters took their message of justice for slain Florida teenager Trayvon Martin to La Cienega Park in Beverly Hills.
From there, the protests marched down Wilshire Boulevard and through Beverly Hills' swanky Rodeo Drive.
Organizers had planned for a peaceful rally – dubbing it "Justice for Trayvon Martin, Los Angeles." They say it was intended to call "on [the] local and national government to End the practice of racial profiling that leads to the killing and imprisonment of Black Bodies."
RELATED: Teens use beats and rhymes to process, organize in aftermath of Zimmerman acquittal
Jasmyne Cannick, who says she was at the protest as an observer, liked the idea of moving it out of the historically back neighborhoods of South Los Angeles to a more diverse area.
“If you are going to do a protest, especially on an issue like this, I think it’s smart to take it to a neighborhood and an area where the minds of those people need to be changed,” Cannick said. “Out here in Beverly Hills, where you’re dealing with so many different ethnicities and races, some of whom probably don’t ever think about the lives of black men, I think it’s a great spot to do an event like this.”
The event marks the fifth night that protests have been seen in Los Angeles over the verdict in the controversial case. Some vandalism and assaults were reported during protests Monday night near Leimert Park by what police say was a "splinter group" of about 150 people.
Follow KPCC's Rina Palta for live tweets from the rally:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out.
-
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings.
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
-
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.