Houston activists meet with feds over Trayvon Martin case

Quanell X speaks to the media surrounded by Deloid Parker, Kofi Taharka, with the National Black United Front, Krystal Muhammad, with the New Black Panther Party, and others after their meeting with Dept. of Justice Official Kenneth Madgison at the Wells Fargo Building, Tuesday, July 30, 2013, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle ) less Quanell X speaks to the media surrounded by Deloid Parker, Kofi Taharka, with the National Black United Front, Krystal Muhammad, with the New Black Panther Party, and others after their meeting with Dept. of ... more Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Houston activists meet with feds over Trayvon Martin case 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

About a dozen Houston community activists met Tuesday with U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson to demand action in the wake of the George Zimmerman acquittal.

But the community leaders were mum after the meeting about their specific demands.

"He was firm, and we were just as firm with him," said Quanell X as the activists emerged from the meeting in downtown Houston. "It was not a hug and kiss meeting. It was not a kissing cousin meeting. We listened to him, he listened to us."

Prior to the 9 a.m. sit-down, Krystal Muhammad, Houston chairwoman of the New Black Panther Party, outlined the group's game plan.

"We have some specific demands of the Department of Justice, from the local level to the national level," she said. "We want accountability and transparency to our communities as to what they're (DOJ) doing with regard to the Trayvon Martin case, as well as many other cases we've submitted to the Department of Justice."

DeLoyd Parker Jr., co-founder and executive director of S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, said the group is awaiting Magidson's response.

"The bottom line is that we made a move today," he said. "It was a move on behalf of the people, and we firmly believe that. We'll see what their response is ... whether he (Magidson) really represents the people. It's their move right now."

A Florida jury's decision July 14 to acquit Zimmerman in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin sparked protests nationwide, including Houston.

Muhammad, of the New Black Panther Party, said the time for passivity is over.

"Today is a new day," she said. "You're no longer going to be able to hide in these marble towers and ignore the people. You're going to have come to the people. We will remain at your doorsteps and inside your office and at your home and everywhere you turn until we see justice."

Also taking part in the meeting with Magidson were the National Black United Front, Harris County Green Party, Progressive Amateur Boxing Association and Nation Of Islam Southwest Region.

Magidson could not be immediately reached for comment.