Martin family visits London to talk racism

Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton said they were "humbled" by the support they had received from London and around the world and praised Stephen Lawrence's parents for their relentless fight against institutional racism.

"The struggle of people like Doreen Lawrence in Britain shows us that as in the USA, there is a problem of racial profiling in society and amongst institutions," they said.

"We would like to work with people here in London and around the world to help end the scourge of racial injustice across the globe."

Trayvon, 17, was shot and killed in Florida in February by neighbourhood-watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who was not immediately arrested because of a sweeping self-defence law.

Mr Martin and Ms Fulton and civil rights groups led a 45-day campaign for Mr Zimmerman's arrest, who is now on trial for second-degree murder.

The shooting kicked off a nationwide debate in the US over gun control laws and racial profiling.

Zita Holbourne of the Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC), which organised the event today, said the meeting was the start of "an international campaign to expose racism in Britain and the rest of the world."

Unite Against Fascism joint secretary Sabby Dhalu added: "We welcome the opportunity to work with the family and partners in the USA, in building an international movement against racism." 

The event was also supported by One Society Many Cultures in conjunction with Million Hoodies Movement in the USA.