"If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon," Obama said. "I think they are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves and that we're going to get to the bottom of exactly what happened."
Many protesters have donned hoodies in support of Martin. The Florida teen was spotted wearing a hoodie by his killer, neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. The article of clothing reportedly made Martin appear suspicious to Zimmerman.
In Santa Monica, protesters in hoodies rallied at city hall Friday evening in support of Martin's family.
"How can a hoodie be a problem?" said protester Sherri Walker. "Let's call it what it is -- it's absolutely racism and it was a racist act."
Zimmerman, 28, pulled the trigger on the unarmed Martin as he walked home from a convenience store last month. Zimmerman was not charged because of a Florida law that makes it difficult to arrest and prosecute homicide suspects who claim self-defense.
"Sanford Police don't even think that it's worthy of arresting him. Does that mean that a young, African-American life is not worth enough for someone to be arrested? It's outrageous," said protester Will Cooley.
Zimmerman's whereabouts remained unknown Friday, but Florida officials said they do know how to contact him.
