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Worshipers Don Hoodies for Slain Florida Teen Trayvon Martin

By DNAinfo Staff on March 25, 2012 6:00pm  | Updated on March 25, 2012 6:02pm

Trayvon Martin
Trayvon Martin
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Facebook/Justice for Trayvon Martin

By Paul Lomax and Tom Liddy

DNAinfo Reporters

MANHATTAN — Wearing a hoodie in church is something that is generally frowned upon.

But on Sunday, dozens of worshipers did just that at an East Village church in a show of solidarity with Trayvon Martin — the unarmed teen who was gunned down by a neighborhood watchman in Florida.

Martin's untimely death at the age of 17 and the fact that the alleged gunman, George Zimmerman, has not been arrested, have sparked outrage in New York and throughout the nation.

"Today we're here to honor Trayvon and all the other young black men that have been lost," said Christine Fleming, 34, of Michigan who has attended Middle Collegiate Church on East 7th Street, for several years.

"Our thoughts also go to his family. It's important to celebrate this man's life even though it was cut short so tragically."

During the service, a song, "Sit Down at the Mercy Seat" was played to honor the fallen teen, whose death was highlighted by President Barack Obama last week.

Church leader Jacqui Lewis also spoke about the death of Ramarley Graham, an unarmed teen who was shot to death by police in The Bronx.

Moments before Martin was shot to death in Sanford, Fla., on Feb. 26, he had bought some Skittles and was on the phone with his girlfriend.

He told his girlfriend that Zimmerman was following him and in the ensuing confrontation, Martin was shot to death.

According to reports, the boy was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, which aroused suspicion in the gated community.

Zimmerman, who is not a police officer, has yet to be charged.

But he could face hate crimes charges under a U.S. Department of Justice investigation, according to Fox News.