Clad in a hoodie, Rep. James Clyburn (D-6) spoke forcefully before thousands who came to the statehouse in Columbia to march in support of Trayvon Martin.
Clyburn drew comparisons between Martin and Emmett Till, a black teenager who was lynched for flirting with a white woman in 1955.
Clyburn also referred to President Obama, who told the media yesterday that Trayvon Martin could have been him 35 years ago. The congressmen said that was not the first time he had heard Obama speak in such terms.
After his remarks, Clyburn told Patch, "The only thing I could think about when I first heard about Trayvon's murder is Emmitt Till who was killed when I was a boy. I was a young man then and I've never forgotten how that made me feel."
The day was not just about Trayvon Martin, Clyburn said. He said the ruling by the Supreme Court to overturn portions of the Civil Rights Act as well as the numerous voter ID laws across the country have galvanized African-American voters.
"The fact of the matter is we are seeing a litany of activity from the far right all over the country and that is why “stand your ground” laws and voter ID laws have gotten passed. These are coordinate efforts. So, we need to coordinate in response. This is about standing in solidarity. We cannot let ourselves be splintered," Clyburn said.
Clyburn said that it is critical that the protests in the wake of the Trayvon Martin verdict stay peaceful, so as not to give political opponents grounds for criticism.
"Trayvon's parents have set the tone for what needs to be done here and I don't think you're going to see anyone go against their wishes," Clyburn said.
Chris Sullivan, who organized Saturday's march, echoed Clyburn's sentiments about the importance of peaceful protest.
"We have the right to peacefully assemble and we need to show the world we are law-abiding citizens," Sullivan said.
Sullivan added, "I'm not surprised at this turnout. People are sick and tired of being sick and tired."
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.