The shooting of unarmed Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, by a neighbourhood watch volunteer who claims self-defence has sparked an international outcry.<br/> <br />Now the family of the dead 17-year-old say they're being forced to defend their son's reputation.<br/> <br />His mother says media reports of his suspension from school after marijuana residue was found in his bag are irrelevant to his death.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: SYBRINA FULTON, TRAYVON MARTIN'S MOTHER, SAYING (English):<br/> <br />"They've killed my son and now they're trying to kill his reputation."<br/> <br />The killing of Martin by neighbourhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman has triggered a wave of protest rallies like this one in Los Angeles.<br/> <br />Zimmerman says was defending himself during a scuffle.<br/> <br />Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law gives immunity from arrest if there's no evidence of malice.<br/> <br />Civil rights activist, the Reverend Al Sharpton, is questioning why the victim's past is in the spotlight.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: REVEREND AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, SAYING (English):<br/> <br />"Let's not play this double standard of trying to demonise who is dead and sanitise who was the cause of the death."<br/> <br />Protesters have turned out in their thousands sporting hooded tops similar to that worn by Martin when he died.<br/> <br />Martin was African American, Zimmerman is white hispanic but the protesters insist race is not the issue.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: RICKY JONES, PROTESTER, SAYING (English):<br/> <br />"This is not about a black, white, hispanic thing. This is about humanity, a life, a life that was taken by someone who's not being punished."<br/> <br />Zimmerman's told police he fired the fatal shot after he was knocked to the ground and had his head slammed into the pavement by Martin.<br/> <br />Paul Chapman, Reuters
