Central Florida Urban League Supports the Decision for Temporary Removal of Sanford Police Chief and Review of Police Department

Civil Rights Organization also Calls for the Arrest of George Zimmerman

ORLANDO, Fla., March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Central Florida Urban League applauds the recent decision by the City of Sanford to temporarily remove Chief Bill Lee in light of questionable conduct of the Sanford Police Department in the Trayvon Martin case.  The Urban League continues to call for the immediate arrest of George Zimmerman, shooter of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. While the removal of the Chief is a step in the right direction, we encourage the continued pursuit of ensuring this department is prepared to deliver law enforcement services equitably to all citizens of Sanford.

"We are encouraged by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) engagement in investigating this tragedy," said CFUL President and Chief Executive Officer Allie L. Braswell, Jr.  "According to reports, the grand jury will not convene until April 10, 2012.   Trayvon Martin's family and the citizens of Sanford have already waited 26 days for justice to be served.   Further delay only extends this tragedy for Trayvon's family and increases flight risk of Mr. Zimmerman.   We request that George Zimmerman be arrested immediately."

The Central Florida Urban League supports the citizens' of Sanford request for a thorough investigation of the Sanford Police Department. The Urban League believes the temporary removal of Bill Lee is a step in the right direction, but far from the final solution.  "A thorough investigation of the department is long overdue," Braswell added, "There are standard aspects of a routine investigation that were ignored.   If misconduct or wrongdoing is found, we ask for the immediate termination of the chief of police and the investigator in this case."

On Monday, March 26th, the CFUL will stand in support of the "Justice Rally", at the personal request of Rev.  Dr. Jamal Bryant and Minister Stephen Green, taking place at 4 p.m. on the steps of the Sanford City Hall.  We will march from the Centennial Park, 400 Park Ave., to the City Hall of Sanford, FL, at 300 N. Park Avenue, Sanford, FL.

"Our entire community should be outraged about the senseless killing of Trayvon Martin, and we urge all Central Floridians to come out and support this rally," Braswell said. "We stand in full solidarity with the community and the NAACP in the pursuit of justice in this case."

About the Central Florida Urban League
The Central Florida Urban League (CFUL), an affiliate of the National Urban League, is a community-based agency whose mission is to assist Central Floridians in achieving social and economic equality for the betterment of the entire region. More than 40,000 residents have benefited from CFUL's empowerment programs. Visit http://www.cful.org for more information.

SOURCE Central Florida Urban League