( CNN ) -- The saga of Trayvon Martin continued to energize thousands around the country Monday , spurring demonstrations across the United States and even turning what had been a regularly scheduled city commission meeting into a hot-ticket event . Exactly one month ago , the 17-year-old was shot dead in Sanford , Florida , while heading back from a convenience store , where he 'd picked up a bag of Skittles and an iced tea . The teen 's admitted shooter , neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman , has n't been charged in the case , and his lawyer has said his client shot Martin in self-defense . Yet the young victim 's parents , as well as their supporters , have suggested that the shooter thought their son was `` suspicious '' because he was black , adding that they feel local police bungled the case in numerous ways -- chief among them , by not arresting Zimmerman . Newspaper report fills in some blanks about incident . `` Do the right thing , arrest Zimmerman now , '' said the Rev . Al Sharpton , in presenting Sanford 's city commission with a petition he claimed had been signed by 2 million people who urged that the shooter be detained . Sharpton joined Trayvon Martin 's parents at a trio of well-attended events Monday in the central Florida city . The first was a noontime `` town hall '' forum hosted by Roland Martin , a CNN contributor . After that , the parents spoke out forcefully in response to recently reported news that February 26 -- the day of the shooting -- their son was n't in school because he 'd been suspended for 10 days after an empty plastic bag found in his book bag had marijuana residue . Family spokesman Ryan Julison confirmed the suspension . `` The only comment that I have right now is that they 've killed my son and now they 're trying to kill his reputation , '' Trayvon Martin 's mother , Sybrina Fulton , said at a news conference following that forum . The day 's most anticipated event was initially expected to be a standard city commission meeting . But in response to the public outcry -- and criticisms over the Sanford Police Department 's handling of the case -- city officials decided to focus the meeting on the incident . Some waited in line for several hours for the chance to get one of 500 available seats in the Sanford Civic Center . The meeting had been moved to there to accommodate a large crowd , but even then many hundreds were n't able to get into the packed hall . `` I just want to reaffirm that we truly are in pursuit of truth and justice , and we 've looked outside our walls ( for help ) , '' Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett said , referring to the city 's outreach to the U.S. Justice Department , the FBI and others to review how the case was and should be handled . `` And we will take swift and decisive action , '' Triplett added . Over the next several hours , several speakers allied with the Martin family took to the lectern demanding Zimmerman 's arrest , calling for city officials to take a stand , and criticizing how the police investigation was handled . `` We 're not asking for an eye for an eye , we 're asking for justice , justice , justice , '' said Tracy Martin , Trayvon 's father . The parents eventually left and headed to a nearby park -- where the city commission meeting had been broadcast on large video screens -- for a rally scheduled for later in the day . The family had plenty of support Monday , and not just in Sanford . In communities big and small , people wore hooded sweatshirts -- hoodies -- and carried Skittles and iced tea -- just as Martin had done on the night of his death -- as they called for Zimmerman 's arrest , legislative changes and an end to racial profiling . Share your pictures or video from one of these events . They included throngs of people who marched on streets in front of the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta , decrying a `` stand your ground '' law in that state -- as in Florida -- that allows people to use force in self-defense . More than 2,100 miles away in San Francisco , others held up signs reading , `` We demand justice . '' Similar scenes played out in Iowa City , Iowa ; Houston ; Detroit ; Philadelphia ; and places in between . Majority in poll say shooter should be arrested . In Washington , speakers organized by the National Black United Front lined up , one by one , to grab a bullhorn and demand a `` conviction '' of Zimmerman . When protesters agreed with a speaker , they shook their bags of Skittles . Demonstrators there said they believed race was a factor in Martin 's death at the hands of Zimmerman , who is a white Hispanic . `` If this had been a brother , he 'd be on death row ! '' one protester shouted , referring to Zimmerman . Maria Roach , an African-American mother of a 7-year-old boy , delivered to the U.S. Justice Department a printout copy of an online petition with over 500,000 digital signatures to demand that agency take action . `` We want a conviction , we want an arrest , and we want it now , '' Roach said . CNN 's Eric Marrapodi and Vivian Kuo contributed to this report .
Trayvon Martin , 17 , was shot dead 1 month ago in Sanford , Florida . Across the country , many are demanding the man who shot him be arrested . Score: 6 Rallies are held nationwide , from San Francisco to Atlanta .