Reactions poured in after the acquittal of George Zimmerman on second degree murder charges was announced Saturday night, including from civil rights leaders around the country, as well as attorneys for Trayvon Martin’s family. Here is a sampling:
Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump (Transcription of a statement read by Benjamin Crump following the jury’s delivery of its verdict in the murder trial of George Zimmerman):
We are very saddened by the jury’s verdict. The family is heartbroken. Sybrina and Tracy would like to thank people around the world for their support. The prosecution, Ms. Angela Corey, Mr. Bernie de la Rionda, Attorney John Guy and Mr. Rich Mantei and everybody from the prosecutor’s office. To everybody who put their hoodies up and to everybody who said ‘I am Trayvon,’ his family expresses their heartfelt gratitude for helping them these past 17 months.
To Tracy and Sybrina, Trayvon’s parents, your tireless work in the name of your son has made Sanford and many other cities just a little safer for all our children. I know Trayvon is up there proud at the changes that you as his parents have inspired in his name.
This morning, Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter Dr. Bernice King tweeted me a message that read, “Today is a defining moment for the status of my father’s dream… whatever the Zimmerman verdict is,” she tweeted, “in the words of my father, ‘We must conduct ourselves on a higher plane of dignity and discipline.'”
Trayvon Martin will forever remain in the annals of history next to Medgar Evers and Emmett Till as symbols for the fight for equal justice for all.
Tracy and Sybrina are thankful for all those prayers over the past 17 months since the death of their son. This is a very trying time for their family and we ask that you respect their privacy. In conclusion, for Trayvon to rest in peace, we must all be peaceful. Thank you.
NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock:
“Today, justice failed Trayvon Martin and his family,” said Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP. “We call immediately for the Justice Department to conduct an investigation into the civil rights violations committed against Trayvon Martin. This case has re-energized the movement to end racial profiling in the United States.”
NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous:
“We are outraged and heartbroken over today’s verdict,” said Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP. “We stand with Trayvon’s family and we are called to act. We will pursue civil rights charges with the Department of Justice, we will continue to fight for the removal of Stand Your Ground laws in every state, and we will not rest until racial profiling in all its forms is outlawed.”
NAACP Florida State Conference President Adora Obi Nweze:
“We lost a young man due to senseless violence, but justice did not prevail,” said Adora Obi Nweze, President of the Florida NAACP State Conference. “Last year we pushed for the arrest of George Zimmerman and a thorough investigation and trial. Today, we are still called to act. No one should be allowed to use this law to commit a senseless crime again.”
Rev. Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network and MSNBC Host:
“The acquittal of George Zimmerman is a slap in the face to the American people but it is only the first round in the pursuit of justice. We intend to ask the Department of Justice to move forward as they did in the Rodney King case and we will closely monitor the civil case against Mr. Zimmerman. I will convene an emergency call with preachers tonight to discuss next steps and I intend to head to Florida in the next few days.”
Rashad Robinson, Executive Director of ColorOfChange.org:
“A court in Florida today found George Zimmerman not guilty of second degree murder for shooting and killing unarmed 17 year old Trayvon Martin in February 2012. This is another tragedy for Black families everywhere, and another instance of how law enforcement and our criminal justice system routinely fail Black people and communities. Were it not for Trayvon’s family and countless supporters taking action, Zimmerman would have never faced a single question about his actions at all. Tonight, as George Zimmerman walks away without penalty, the verdict sends a clear message about the minimal value placed on the lives of young Black men and boys everywhere. And it is also a clear lesson about the power of culture and media to shape negative perceptions and attitudes, with grave consequences. Since Trayvon’s death, widespread media coverage has perpetuated inaccurate and dehumanizing stereotypes of Black youth — the very kind of depictions that have served to excuse unprovoked violence against young Black men by and boys for years.
“Throughout this trial, we’ve endured a steady stream of media attacks on Trayvon Martin – an innocent, unarmed teenager who was profiled, stalked, and murdered on his way home from buying candy. By amplifying unfounded claims about Trayvon, news media magnified the very same racial stereotypes and false perceptions that put Trayvon’s life in danger in the first place, while ignoring his family’s rightful pleas for justice. Numerous outlets have been passing along unfounded, baseless conjecture as evidence, and reviving deep-seated stereotypes to validate Zimmerman’s defense. This type of newscasting portrays Black teenagers as inherently threatening and violence-prone, but it’s actually the unfair and dehumanizing portrayals in the mass news media that are proven to be life threatening to Black men and boys. We already know that inaccurate media portrayals lead to warped biases against Black people, which lead to negative attitudes and aggressive, harmful treatment by judges, juries, police and others vigilantes wielding dangerous preconceptions like George Zimmerman.
“In a media environment that continues to cast Black men and boys as thugs, it’s not surprising that the tragic death of an innocent young man has become a character trial for Black people everywhere. The media’s portrayals cannot be taken lightly when there words and images contribute to lives being put at risk. We must change news media practices and the media landscape to present evenhanded, accurate and multi-dimensional portrayals of Black people, and all people.
“After more than a year waged in battle for justice for Trayvon — the trial is finally over — but ColorofChange remains deeply committed to creating a more honest and humane media landscape. We send our love and support to Trayvon’s family and we will continue to demand an end to media, culture, and a criminal justice system that dehumanizes young Black men like Trayvon and enables a culture in which Black lives are seen as less valuable.”
Michael Skolnik, board member, Trayvon Martin Foundation:
David Alexander Bullock, Change Agent Consortium national spokesperson:
“Tonight our prayers are with Trayvon Martin’s family and America. This case is about race and self-defense. While we call for peace in the streets, this case has opened deep and systemic wounds in America. Is the death of black youth meaningless? Did he head home that day to die? These are perplexing issues. We must honor Trayvon by addressing the egregious Stand Your Ground law. We must honor Trayvon by holding the NRA accountable. We must honor Trayvon by ending racial profiling. We must honor Trayvon by remembering that he did nothing wrong. We continue to push for respect for all human beings and hope that a true dialogue about racism in America evolves.”
Miami Congresswoman Frederica Wilson:
“My heart and prayers are with the Martin family.
“A simple fact remains: an innocent young boy is dead.
“After Trayvon was shot and killed, I was one of the loudest voices demanding a trial and I am disappointed with the verdict.
“My role in this case has been to help ensure that Mr. Zimmerman faces a court of law. While I am profoundly disappointed with the ruling in this case, the criminal portion of the process has run its course. I encourage Trayvon’s parents to pursue vindication of their rights under civil law. I will support the family in any way possible.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to Trayvon’s family. I will continue to fight for justice for Trayvon.”