LAPLACE – A pastor who helms a pair of Reserve Baptist churches has organized a march in LaPlace Saturday as an “Appeal for Justice” in the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch advocate in Sanford, Fla., an incident that has sparked various public demonstrations across the country.

The St. John the Baptist Parish Council recently approved a parade permit for the march, which will begin at 10 a.m. on Ory Drive near East St. John Elementary School.

 The procession will travel north on Belle Pointe Boulevard, then east on Airline Highway to the Percy Hebert Building, where a demonstration will be held.

The march is sponsored by Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church and New Pilgrim Baptist church, both in Reserve.

Martin’s killing in February captured nationwide attention because the teen was unarmed when George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, shot and killed him. Martin was returning from a convenience store while visiting his father when Zimmerman shot him. Zimmerman has not been arrested or charged in the shooting

Recent news reports have indicated that Martin and Zimmerman were fighting when Zimmerman shot him. Investigators have been unable to determine what lead to the shooting. Zimmerman told authorities he shot Martin in self-defense after Martin punched him during a struggle. Martin’s relatives have disputed Zimmerman’s account, saying the teen was on a cell phone when approached by Zimmerman.

The FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement have since taken over the investigation from the Sanford Police Department.

Rev. Forell Bering Sr., pastor of the two churches, said the focal point of the case is injustice.

“When air hits blood, it turns red. Blood is not black. It is not white. When blood is shed unjustifiably, it hurts all of us,” Bearing said.

“I hope (this march) will bring an awareness, so we can come together and be one.”