Although the case of Trayvon Martin v. George Zimmerman was held hundreds of miles away from Selma, residents gathered Friday to honor and remember Martin whose shooter, Zimmerman, was recently found not guilty.

Held at the historic Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church on Martin Luther King Street, residents filled pews to listen to several local pastors including the Rev. Leotis Strong, Herbert Aleen, F.D. Reese and Rulon Powers.

During the vigil, Allen spoke of today’s youth and how Trayvon Martin symbolizes their struggle.

“We gather tonight to remember the death of young man that will change a nation,” Allen said. “We still have a lot of work to do.”

Allen, and several others, went on to say that although Martin is dead, his memory lives on through the thoughts and actions of African American youth.

“We can keep Trayvon alive if we just look at the young men and the young women around us and don’t judge them for their looks,” he said. “We need to start crying for our children before they die.”

Bruce Holmes, who organized the vigil, shared similar sentiments as Allen.

“We’re here to show support not just for the African American race, but for everybody because this is an event that needs to be talked about in this neighborhood and all over the world,” Holmes said. “We need to protest and let people know that right is right and wrong is wrong.”

Because Selma was a key city in the civil rights movement, Holmes said its residents should especially protest Martin’s death, and fight for equality.

“Selma is the foundation of the civil rights movement—this is where it all started at,” he said. “We should have a word. When Selma speaks, the world listens.”