Students Shut Down Sanford Police Station in March for Trayvon Martin

Students demanding justice in the shooting death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin shut down the Sanford Police Department headquarters.

A group of students calling themselves the Dream Defenders blocked the entrance of the department’s headquarters early Monday. City officials said the protest would have “minimal effect” on police and fire officials’ response to emergency calls.

“I can honestly say that I’ll never forget this experience,” James Bland told WOFL on Sunday. “It’s been incredible, I honestly feel, as if I’m participating in something that will forever change the course of history.”

Gabriel Pendas, one of the organizers of the march, said the students were doing “the right thing” by participating in the three-day, 41-mile march from Daytona Beach to Sanford.

“We’re coming to Sanford with love and with compassion and . . . working to heal this community,” Pendas told WOFL.

Due to the protest, police services such as fingerprinting were not available Monday, department officials said. Other routine business would be conducted at City Hall.

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