Beyonce and Jay-Z join protests in New York

Beyonce and her rapper husband Jay-Z joined demonstrations on the streets of New York City on Saturday (20Jul13) to protest against the controversial verdict in the Trayvon Martin case.

The stars have been among the most outspoken critics since neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges after fatally shooting the 17 year old in Florida in 2012.

The not guilty verdict sparked numerous protests and the celebrity supercouple joined in by attending a rally in the Big Apple on Saturday.

The stars joined the protest outside the New York Police Department headquarters in Manhattan, along with civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton.

Beyonce has also urged fans to sign a petition stemming from the case by posted a link to Moveon.org on her official website, with the statement: "We are still struggling with the issue of inequality and the lack of value for a black man's life. Trayvon Martin's most basic civil right, the right to live, was violated.

"We have made so much progress and cannot allow hatred and racism to divide us. When we all join together, people of all races, we have the power to change the world we live in."