My heart is broken. I think of his mother, I can’t stop crying for her heart break. This can’t be right, this is not just. To Kill a Mockingbird… my God.
I think of his father, and that photo where he is kissing Trayvon on the cheek. That’s the love he’ll miss expressing for his son, as he grows into a man.
There is something sick in this country when a monster can walk free and an innocent young black child is murdered while trying to get home. Today’s not a good day for the so called justice system. This is wrong. Just wrong.
The jury in Florida just announced to the world that in America, it is perfectly okay by them to kill innocent young black men.
This is Emmett Till all over again! “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” For the parents of Trayvon, today their son was murdered again, this time by our so called justice system. For all the parents of Black males the message is unmistakable: their children’s lives are not worthy two cents.
These Stand Your Ground laws brought to us by ALEC and the NRA need to be targeted. It was this law that enabled this travesty to happen. These states ALL have these laws!
Electing a black President brought to the surface all that was happening underneath. The state legislatures, the tea party and the Supreme Court aiding and abetting.
I am devastated there are no words to describe how I am feeling. Tell me how a 17 year old going about his business and ends up with a bullet to his heart not get any justice Zimmerman get to go home in peace while Trayvon was not able to get home like he wanted to. Justice what justice
I feel your pain, edp4bho! All Black mothers and fathers have to constantly pray whenever their sons go out to the store or other errands. I used to urge my nephews to do everything they can to avoid contact with the police because any wrong move could get them killed. With all these stand your ground laws, now Black families have to worry about every white person who may be carrying a concealed gun. Sadly, black boys/men have no where to hide because the white supremacist system deems them guilty until they can prove their innocence, which is impossible to do when you are dead.
I am stunned. I guess this means that anyone can chase any innocent kid minding their own business, shoot them if they don’t like them and plead self defense and blame the victim.
Civil Suit? Why? What’s the point. This country just told me that things really haven’t changed much since the lynching era, Emmett Till, the numerous assassinations.
President Obama’s life, every black and mixed mothers’s sons’ lives are anybody’s targets now. it’s easy to get off if the victim is black.
I literally cannot breathe. What are we supposed to tell our sons and grandsons about how this country views them and their llives. Beyond that, where in the hell can we go to have just a moment’s peace, just a little justice.
It’s not that way in NY, Mass or California…
In Florida, baby boomers moved down here and they think that the US owes them everything.
So, the retirees have a terrible attitude down here.
I am sure Arizona is just like Florida…
Civil suit is a good idea, so Zimmerman can’t make any money from killing Trayvon. If Zimmerman write a book the money made from that book will go to the Martins. Just like Ron Goldmans family did O.J.
I feel you Eve! And so, I am sure, are most black families with sons. Today the justice system told us that the lives of young black males have no value. To me, these stand your ground laws are a modern of the old lynch law or the slave codes that authorized any white person to kill a slave they deemed to be a threat to the white community.
Yep, what the hell is she smiling about ? Could it be that she decided to prosecute just to appease the public, but from the get go she didn’t believe Zimmerman was guilty ????
I believe THEY all know zimmerman is GULITY…I believe they never had any intension for this murderer to go to prison, they only prosecuted “just to appease the public.”
They have been criminilized, slanderized, racially exploited- all while nursing their wounds, and this is what they get in return. Being told they are NOT HUMAN !
I hope this murder of this innocent child haunt Zimmerman the remainder of his life. He has blood on his hands and I don’t know how he can sleep at night. I am sure he will be looking over his shoulders every time he leave his home.
He will probably sleep well. People like him have no conscience because they don’t think the life of a black person (Ive heard many of them compare us to animals) is such a big deal. In fact some them treat their dogs better than they treat Black folks.
We blacks are so used to white jurors setting white people free who kill blacks. To some white people a black life doesn’t mean a dam thing. And to this jury Trayvon Martin life wasn’t worth anything. We thought things were better but it isn’t. If I had a teenage son I would be so afraid for that child.
Annibelle, my three year old asked for a bag of Skittles before we went to see a movie the other day. And I cringed, I froze. I had to composed myself because my first instinct was not to buy them. He kept pointing to them and I took him by his little hand and said, no.
It hurt me that bad. I could not watch one day of that trial because I knew deep inside of me what the outcome would be. I could not bear to feel that let down….again. I grew up not trusting the system and working in the system close up, I found my worse fears to be true.
The racism is intentional, systematic, deep rooted, justifiable and evil.
It would be okay if it were just Florida, Tally, because we could just avoid it or fence it off. But we all know it isn’t, sad to say.
Don’t think, however, that Disney World and the other theme parks won’t be talking about this verdict in their corporate meetings. Disney practically has its own police department and judicial system to keep things quiet – mostly accidents or minor crimes on property and the like, but other events, as well. Even though Sanford’s away from the theme park area, all of Greater Orlando has an investment in tourism. So keep getting your message out there and I’ll R/T it!
Tally, when I was a teen I just never wanted to go to Florida for any reason. I have always felt creepy about and leary of that place. Not for Disney World or anything else. However after I got married we took our daughters there to visit Universal Studios in Orlando and had a nice time been there several times since not often because there is a spirit down there that just doesn’t feel right to me. Very shady, uncomfortable. I won’t be going back again EVAH!!!!
We don’t have a SYG law. We have pockets of tiny racist enclaves in Fresno, Simi, and the OC, but by and large there is little racism here compared to places like TX, FL and even Boston – I know I lived there for a hideous 9 months. I’m going to carry my stone proudly. I’m not a girl to throw it. But I long for the day when I can put it the fuck down. My anger has only grown since the verdict. I cannot IMAGINE how Trayvon’s parents feel, and I have CATS not KIDS. Besides, we have the ORIGINAL DISNEYLAND here. It’s a thousand times better than WDW.
Little or a lot, it all sucks. And everything in the Bay Area isn’t so get either. I’ve lived on both coasts and for the most part agree but there are some glaring exceptions!
Jovie, Zimmerman could write a book, and the book be turn into a movie, he could do interviews, any money he makes in the future if the Martins sue him and win, anything Zimmerman make will go to the Martins. Plus he will have to testify.
If this real-life story gets turned into a TV movie, it will be another knife in the hearts of Trayvon’s family. Pray that does not happen. Enough is enough. Let them grieve – again – in private.
There will be 10 like GG begging to write the story – imagine what Jay will have to put up with from the pundits tomorrow – no doubt they want some words with which to attack PBO
This is for future money. This way he can’t make money off of the killing without giving it to Trayvon’s parents. That should dampen the enthusiasm of anyone who would want to give him any money or book deals or speeches or anything.
Frankly, I think (and hope) Zimmerman’s life is totally miserable now. He killed an innocent kid for his vanity and due to his racism. I hope he loses everything and wouldn’t cry if something bad happened to him. What goes around will come around for Zimmerman, like it did for OJ (I didn’t agree with that verdict either)
That’s why the lawsuit is important. That is why there was a civil trial after the OJ trial. The prospect of having funds seized turned off a lot of people from making offers. That is why we no longer see books (at least on the crime) from murderers in prison-there were laws passed that said that those funds had to go to the victims or to the state.
Down the Palin path – put a note on face book – and roll in the money. So horrible that even in times of austerity so many would give money to a child killer.
My guess is the apartment complex has some culpability the hired him as “neighborhood watch”! DOJ already has civil rights case to try GZ just like they did for Rodney King.
“Wake up everybody no more sleeping in bed. No more backwards thinking. Time for thinking ahead.”
Wake up everybody!
A young child’s life was taken. A father’s and mother’s pain is felt all over the country tonight. A racist psycho is free to leave the state that passed a law to shoot first. A traitor flees to Russia, he is applauded as a hero. Women are being dragged out of public buildings for protesting their rights to be a women.
God bless America!
Really……..?
GZ will never be free — even for someone with no conscious, it will wear on him and weigh on him…literally — he is fat and unhealthy, karma will get him
Plaxico Burress got 2 years in jail for shooting himself & GZ gets nothing4 stalking & murdering a kid walking home from the store. #Trayvon— Mark Anthony Ramirez (@MarkARamirez) July 14, 2013
Just feeling numb. On one hand, not surprised. On the other hand, allowed myself to hope that the jury would have come back with a guilty verdict, even if for the lesser charge.
And I am disgusted by the smiles of the State Attorney. She seems very pleased with the verdict. No appearance of outrage; not even disappointment.
Wow, just heard this news and had to come to TOD to share my outrage and sadness at this verdict. I was afraid this would happen but I kept thinking, no, no it just can’t. But it did. Also just finished reading an article about a woman (in Mississippi I think) who was put in prison after she had a miscarriage and a jury found evidence of manslaughter. It seems it is impossible for us to really make progress. This is so upsetting.
Yes indeed! We must not despair! We must do what Black folks did after the murder of Emmett Till; that’s to resolve to fight back. Sadly for Black folks, their history in this country has been characterized by one step forward and two steps backward. Incidentally, all the steps backwards have come as result of what historian say were periods of conservative reaction to progress. This happened in 1790’s and early 1800 following the American Revolution that was supposedly guided by the concepts of freedom, justice and Equality. It happened again with the Jim Crow era that came after the Civil War and Reconstruction which had set in motion the freeing of slaves and making them citizens. It happened again after the Civil Rights movement with the election of Ronald which ushered in the modern conservative movement. It’s now happening all over again, this time relatively quickly, following the election of the first African American President.
I think the most important challenge is how white folks who call themselves liberal and progressive will react. In the past many were quick to give up supporting Black freedom and focus on other things. Just as some white progressives are doing now with their obsession about Imaginary fears about the loss of civil liberties, when the real denial of rights is happening to women, Blacks and immigrants.
“I think the most important challenge is how white folks who call themselves liberal and progressive will react. In the past many were quick to give up supporting Black freedom and focus on other things. Just as some white progressives are doing now with their obsession about Imaginary fears about the loss of civil liberties, when the real denial of rights is happening to women, Blacks and immigrants.”
Yes, nath.
It is for each of us, irrespective of ethnicity, color of skin, gender … whatever … to realize that WE ARE HUMANITY. Each person. Every Person. WE ARE HUMANITY and we need to treat every member of HUMANITY with respect.
“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.”
I don’t think the Justice Department can legally go after individuals who are not employed by state government institutions. Civil Rights laws mainly deal state (and their sub-divisions) violation of Civil Rights. But then again may be NAACP lawyers know what they are talking about. I think the NAACP should be aggresively assisting the parents of Trayvon to file a wrongful death suit instead of pressuring the Justice Department.
Maybe the NAACP brings the federal suit on behalf of Trayvan, and the DOJ would have to handle it in federal court, since a civil rights violation is a federal crime? I hadn’t thought of this. In addition to a civil suit to be filed by his parents, this was a violation of Trayvon Martin’s civil rights, and I’m pretty sure that effer would get time in a federal prison … well, not sure, but I’m going to “cling” to that.
If Zimmerman were a police officer or an employee of the State of Florida (including all the governmental sub-divisions), then the justice department could file a suit alleging the violation of Trayvon’s civil rights. In this case Zimmerman is a private individual. I know of no statute or a court precedents that empowers the federal government to intervene. Of course I could be wrong.
It may be because NAACP realized that the Justice Department cannot intervene in a case that is between two private citizens. Murder committed by individuals — except in areas like bank robbery, drug dealing and carjacking, where you have explicit federal statutes mandating federal involvement– is purely a State matter.
The non-arrest of Zimmerman after the initial shooting pretty set the stage. Law enforcement was okay with Zimmerman’s actions. Can’t help but feel that this whole trial was a matter of going through the motions just to appease the masses.
I think it was Joy Reid who earlier said that one thing that might come into play with this jury is that these women are residents of Sanford. You have to wonder how much their concerns about living in this community came into play in making their decision.
Joy’s comment might be right, but keep in mind this was a Seminole County Courthouse, so perhaps they didn’t all live in the city of Sanford. If they were intimidated by their concerns about living in the community, maybe one will speak out.
Also, that evil Frank Taffee – GZ’s evil friend – told Nancy Grace that he had the word that 5 wanted to acquit and 1 was holding out. I thought at first he was just measuring up the fact that 5 jurors were white. But when she asked him where he got the info, he put his disgusting finger to his mouth in a “Shhh” gesture. If he received any word from inside the jury room about the 5-to-1 situation, if it were true and just not his bloviating, if that comes out, I think maybe it could be a mistrial.
When my sons were teenagers my husband and I had to sit them down and explain to them that they would be profiled when they entered stores and would be pulled over for driving while black and then taught how to handle themselves if approached by the police. All these precautions had to be made simply because they were black. Now as I await the birth of my grandchildren we will have to teach them how to walk while black for fear that they may be perceived as “thugs” if they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Donna, every black mother and father in American needs to have this talk with their son’s and daughters, as much as it broke my heart,we had the same talk with my son. I will always remember that look of bewilderment on his face
The minute that verdict was reached and I saw the look on GZ’s face, I turned off all cable news and will not watch it for quite some time. Tonight’s images were enough for my old brain.
Don West will probably have an ice cream flavor named after him and his fucking family. Pardon my language, too.
Yes Indeed rikyrah. As i’ve said in my earlier comment, I regard these so called “Stand your Ground laws” as a modern version of lynching. Except this time lynching is made legal, whereas in the past, lynching was extralegal, though carried out with the acquiescence of government.
Absolutely, Rikyrah, I don’t even want my grandson to go back to school. He has asperger’s and I don’t trust his white teachers and administrators to treat him fairly if and when. He displays some of the rages that accompany this affliction. I think they’d call the cops and send him to jail. I really am afraid for my sons now. Even more than before.
My African-American son turned 17 just two days ago and I feel physically ill hearing this verdict. His reaction to this verdict brought me to tears, he threw his hands in the air with despair. My prayers go out to Trayvon’s family as my heart breaks.
You are not alone, Evonnc! I have a daughter, but I also have nephews a grand nephew who turned 14 in April. Today the jurors in Florida said it was legal to lynch a 17 year old black boy. Make no mistake about this. These so called “Stand your Ground laws” are a modernized version of the old extralegal “Lynch Law.” In the past, extralegal lynching was blamed on mob rule though the governments (Local, State, and federal) stood by and did nothing to bring the lynchers to justice. Modern lynching, what is exactly what happened to Trayvon, is sanctioned by law. In both the old and new forms of lynching, the victims are deemed to be the perpetrators.
I am ashamed to live in Florida. This is not my America! I held out hope but I knew this would happen. I don’t know what else to say but, this southern white woman is ashamed to be a southern white woman.
Anger and hate is entering my heart. I can’t stay on so I will wish you all prayers and love!
I too am white and am ashamed of those six white women, I do not know anybody who said Zimmerman was not guilty, Who were those jurors, six gun toting white women. I am sick. This country is getting more disgusting by the day. I say to you arrogant white folks, you are soon going to be the minority, think about it. To Trayvon’s parents I am so sorry.
I’m more a northeastern white woman, but I’m moving back to Florida (where I lived for 17 years) from the midwest in September. One place I won’t be living is Sanford, although this could happen anywhere.
But there is very little Racism in the Military. We all work together, no matter the Race, Creed or Color of skin.
But sexism exists in the military, especially upper echelon.
FYI!
Worked as a civilian for the Navy for 30 years, and we were always taught the military is the “model employer” for the nation, and they’ve come a long way). But you are right about the sexism – and worse – within the military ranks. That, unfortunately, is still reflecting the nation rather than the other way around. Luckily, Defense Secretary Hagel has made that his #1 goal to do something about, especially at the higher echelon levels.
Between this and the overturning of the voting rights act if this doesn’t get people off their bottoms and into the voting booths in 2014 I don’t know what will. These BS laws have got to be overturned. The ONLY way to get a handle on the hatred in this country is to control the ballot box. I know it’s little consolation for this horrible injustice, but I want to do something and I don’t know what else to do. I can’t stop crying. My heart just aches.
Agreed. So many things have happened lately that are so obviously wrong. VRA, this verdict, women’s right’s being ripped apart, just to name a few. The only way we make this right, is to get angry and then get determined and get to work to do whatever it takes to fix these things that make our system unjust. We HAVE to do this, and do this now. For every POC, for every woman, for every citizen. This should give everyone the resolve they need to begin the long haul to make this right. Trayvon is all our sons….a human being that deserved justice. It was denied. We need to make sure we win this battle at the ballot box. Get rid of the cancer that runs through local govt that enable ALEC and the NRA….we know what we have to do.
I agree with the Mayor. Any one who fully understands the experience of Black people in this country knows fully well that whatever progress we’ve made have never been one continuous straight forward march. Rather, periods of small progress have usually been followed by more periods of regression, sometimes even more intense than before. But the one thing that has been constant has been our resolve to struggle to push on, even in the face of what appears to be hopeless situations. Despair for Black people has never been, and should never be, an option.
I hope what happened today made crystal clear the naivety of those who prematurely declared the death of racism.
I felt that verdict deeply. I am so hurt that this murdering bastard got away with killing that child. Justice was NOt served. Zimmerman from this day forward better watch himself.
I’m still numb. I watched a lot of the trial and clips of the trial. I heard Zimmerman’s lies on Hannity and at the police station. My question is how does he not have ANY accountability since he got out of his car when told by the dispatcher that they didn’t need him to do that. What about Trayvon’s friend’s testimony – oh she was just a not-so-smart black girl. Trayvon was stalked, but he didn’t have a right to defend himself from a grown man.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Let me say this before I go, there is a family who lost there loved, they would never see him again, and tonight verdict was just another kick in the gut to that family. I pray for them to find peace, to deal with what has been dealt them. We don’t know why things happen the way they do, but my heart goes out to the Martin family. Bless them.
I totally share your sentiments, Anniebella. Trayvon’s family was devastated by the news of the loss of their son. Today the family has been dealt another devastating blow. I just can’t begin to imagine the depth of their pain. All we have to do is to pray that the family finds strength to endure. Another thing we have to do is to organize and mobilize than ever before to get rid of these laws that are legalizing the lynching of young Black men. That way we can, in a small way, honor the memory of Trayvon.
I just want to say that I am heartbroken about the verdict of George Zimmerman. He is guilty with blood on his hands and a court of law of all female jurors who most resembles him says that he was justified in killing a male child who was minding his own business. I really wonder how he will live with himself. Any time a AA male is looking for justice when he is at the mercy of an all female jury that does not look like him can expect no mercy. I was really doubtful yet I had a glimmer of hope of justice prevailing and tonight my heart aches.
Anerica is at a crossroad of bring another South Africa Minority control of racist individuals heading for a slave ship if we do not remain vigilant.
I came here when I heard the results of the trial after following all of it closely. I was almost sure the lesser verdict of Manslaughter would be decided upon. It seemed so obvious. I thought the Prosecution did not totally prove their case, but the lesser charge seemed like a slam dunk. I will never forget that defense attorney carrying in that concrete slab saying this was Treyvon’s weapon. I would have laughed at that assertion if I had been there especially seeing the photos of GZ’s head. I feel sorry for TM’s family.
There was an article about the couple eating at a restaurant, accosted by a drunk slob, who proceeded to call the man something I can’t even write. The man proceeded to knock the guy to the ground, and with that one blow he fell and smacked his head so hard he lost consciousness. If Trayvon had done what these ignoramuses say he did and pummeled his head into the ground, GZ wouldn’t have been able to walk away.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Sweet lord.
God Bless and protect the Martin Family
HURT!!
Too late.
No, sailor, it is not. It had to reach this point before The Justice Department could begin making a case of Hate & Civil Rights crimes.
I good with that nugget Lootenant.
My heart is broken. I think of his mother, I can’t stop crying for her heart break. This can’t be right, this is not just. To Kill a Mockingbird… my God.
I think of his father, and that photo where he is kissing Trayvon on the cheek. That’s the love he’ll miss expressing for his son, as he grows into a man.
There is something sick in this country when a monster can walk free and an innocent young black child is murdered while trying to get home. Today’s not a good day for the so called justice system. This is wrong. Just wrong.
Walking while black is a crime in the USA – so much for the land of the free
not yet a man. a child
This is Emmett Till all over again! “The more things change, the more they remain the same.” For the parents of Trayvon, today their son was murdered again, this time by our so called justice system. For all the parents of Black males the message is unmistakable: their children’s lives are not worthy two cents.
Wonder what Reverend Al thinks? Deep down.
I truly am saddened! And I listened almost every minute of the OJ trial. Now THAT was stunning!
TIME FOR A CIVIL SUITE!
That’s already lined up.
I hope so.
good!
This is so truly wrong, I am so sorry.
The prosecutor’s face says a lot.
Again, this is one incredibly fucked up country.
Indeed !
I’m sorry but these prosecutors are guilty too….”our prayers have been answered”…..excuse me, you were praying for a not guilty verdict?????????
They are up there just kissing each others asses. They are foul…
Seriously ?
These Stand Your Ground laws brought to us by ALEC and the NRA need to be targeted. It was this law that enabled this travesty to happen. These states ALL have these laws!
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2012/03/23-other-states-have-stand-your-ground-laws-too/50226/
Alabama
Arizona
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois (The law does not include a duty to retreat, which courts have interpreted as a right to expansive self-defense.)
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon (Also does not include a duty to retreat.)
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington (Also does not include a duty to retreat.)
West Virginia
Dig deep. It is our responsibility – to Martin & Nelson & Gandhi & Mother Teresa & President Obama. No Violence. Change.
Yes We Can
Now THAT is a beautiful thought.
It is exactly the ‘HONOR’ we owe Trayvon, Jacqueline, as you know.
Yes We MUST
Yes, we must.
I am so saddened by this verdict. Unbelievable!!
and I want to slap the shit off of that smiling witch’s face….
I feel physically ill.
Civil he’s guilty just like on OJ trials!
But he ain’t got no money!
They can try the county for negligence in the handling, if anything.
Thing is, amk, it’s always been like this. PBO pulled the sheets off is all !
I think you’re right.
Yes. With the repeal of VRA, the teabaggerism as a governing policy and verdicts like this, it is now official.
Electing a black President brought to the surface all that was happening underneath. The state legislatures, the tea party and the Supreme Court aiding and abetting.
I am devastated there are no words to describe how I am feeling. Tell me how a 17 year old going about his business and ends up with a bullet to his heart not get any justice Zimmerman get to go home in peace while Trayvon was not able to get home like he wanted to. Justice what justice
Yep. I feel like I need to reply to everyone because I just do not know what else to do right now. I am useless.
16 hours to decide a boy’s life is worth shit.
Which is why each time my son goes out, I send him there with a prayer. Hard to keep it up sometimes.
I feel your pain, edp4bho! All Black mothers and fathers have to constantly pray whenever their sons go out to the store or other errands. I used to urge my nephews to do everything they can to avoid contact with the police because any wrong move could get them killed. With all these stand your ground laws, now Black families have to worry about every white person who may be carrying a concealed gun. Sadly, black boys/men have no where to hide because the white supremacist system deems them guilty until they can prove their innocence, which is impossible to do when you are dead.
I am stunned. I guess this means that anyone can chase any innocent kid minding their own business, shoot them if they don’t like them and plead self defense and blame the victim.
That’s exactly what these laws enable. Shoot first. Figure it out later.
Only if the kid is black or brown.
Civil Suit? Why? What’s the point. This country just told me that things really haven’t changed much since the lynching era, Emmett Till, the numerous assassinations.
President Obama’s life, every black and mixed mothers’s sons’ lives are anybody’s targets now. it’s easy to get off if the victim is black.
I literally cannot breathe. What are we supposed to tell our sons and grandsons about how this country views them and their llives. Beyond that, where in the hell can we go to have just a moment’s peace, just a little justice.
This is so very, very bad. I cannot bear it.
Feelin you eve !
It’s not that way in NY, Mass or California…
In Florida, baby boomers moved down here and they think that the US owes them everything.
So, the retirees have a terrible attitude down here.
I am sure Arizona is just like Florida…
OH YES, Jovie! It certainly is!
Civil suit is a good idea, so Zimmerman can’t make any money from killing Trayvon. If Zimmerman write a book the money made from that book will go to the Martins. Just like Ron Goldmans family did O.J.
Thank you, anniebella.
I feel you Eve! And so, I am sure, are most black families with sons. Today the justice system told us that the lives of young black males have no value. To me, these stand your ground laws are a modern of the old lynch law or the slave codes that authorized any white person to kill a slave they deemed to be a threat to the white community.
I don’t like her, it seems like she is happy!
Yep, what the hell is she smiling about ? Could it be that she decided to prosecute just to appease the public, but from the get go she didn’t believe Zimmerman was guilty ????
That’s been my feeling all along. They had no choice because the eyes of the nation were on them.
I believe THEY all know zimmerman is GULITY…I believe they never had any intension for this murderer to go to prison, they only prosecuted “just to appease the public.”
I have never called myself American, now folks can understand why. Fuck America.
the Martin family has been put through more than anyone should have to go through.
They have been criminilized, slanderized, racially exploited- all while nursing their wounds, and this is what they get in return. Being told they are NOT HUMAN !
I hope this murder of this innocent child haunt Zimmerman the remainder of his life. He has blood on his hands and I don’t know how he can sleep at night. I am sure he will be looking over his shoulders every time he leave his home.
He will probably sleep well. People like him have no conscience because they don’t think the life of a black person (Ive heard many of them compare us to animals) is such a big deal. In fact some them treat their dogs better than they treat Black folks.
Yes they have, rikyrah! Today the so called justice system (which really should be called an injustice system) killed their innocent son again.
We blacks are so used to white jurors setting white people free who kill blacks. To some white people a black life doesn’t mean a dam thing. And to this jury Trayvon Martin life wasn’t worth anything. We thought things were better but it isn’t. If I had a teenage son I would be so afraid for that child.
I would to Anniebella. I feel bad for all of the young black innocent men who are intimidated everyday.
Annibelle, my three year old asked for a bag of Skittles before we went to see a movie the other day. And I cringed, I froze. I had to composed myself because my first instinct was not to buy them. He kept pointing to them and I took him by his little hand and said, no.
It hurt me that bad. I could not watch one day of that trial because I knew deep inside of me what the outcome would be. I could not bear to feel that let down….again. I grew up not trusting the system and working in the system close up, I found my worse fears to be true.
The racism is intentional, systematic, deep rooted, justifiable and evil.
I guess my first instincts were right after all. Rest in Peace Trayvon.
Hey!
It would be okay if it were just Florida, Tally, because we could just avoid it or fence it off. But we all know it isn’t, sad to say.
Don’t think, however, that Disney World and the other theme parks won’t be talking about this verdict in their corporate meetings. Disney practically has its own police department and judicial system to keep things quiet – mostly accidents or minor crimes on property and the like, but other events, as well. Even though Sanford’s away from the theme park area, all of Greater Orlando has an investment in tourism. So keep getting your message out there and I’ll R/T it!
Yes. I am a nine-year Disney veteran.
Tally, when I was a teen I just never wanted to go to Florida for any reason. I have always felt creepy about and leary of that place. Not for Disney World or anything else. However after I got married we took our daughters there to visit Universal Studios in Orlando and had a nice time been there several times since not often because there is a spirit down there that just doesn’t feel right to me. Very shady, uncomfortable. I won’t be going back again EVAH!!!!
Put the stone down Tally. CA’s record ain’t so good either.
We don’t have a SYG law. We have pockets of tiny racist enclaves in Fresno, Simi, and the OC, but by and large there is little racism here compared to places like TX, FL and even Boston – I know I lived there for a hideous 9 months. I’m going to carry my stone proudly. I’m not a girl to throw it. But I long for the day when I can put it the fuck down. My anger has only grown since the verdict. I cannot IMAGINE how Trayvon’s parents feel, and I have CATS not KIDS. Besides, we have the ORIGINAL DISNEYLAND here. It’s a thousand times better than WDW.
Little or a lot, it all sucks. And everything in the Bay Area isn’t so get either. I’ve lived on both coasts and for the most part agree but there are some glaring exceptions!
NAACP already in civil case… Per twitter.
Why?
Zimmerman is broke…
Unless, he has money that the Tea baggers sent him?
Jovie, Zimmerman could write a book, and the book be turn into a movie, he could do interviews, any money he makes in the future if the Martins sue him and win, anything Zimmerman make will go to the Martins. Plus he will have to testify.
If this real-life story gets turned into a TV movie, it will be another knife in the hearts of Trayvon’s family. Pray that does not happen. Enough is enough. Let them grieve – again – in private.
There will be 10 like GG begging to write the story – imagine what Jay will have to put up with from the pundits tomorrow – no doubt they want some words with which to attack PBO
This is for future money. This way he can’t make money off of the killing without giving it to Trayvon’s parents. That should dampen the enthusiasm of anyone who would want to give him any money or book deals or speeches or anything.
Frankly, I think (and hope) Zimmerman’s life is totally miserable now. He killed an innocent kid for his vanity and due to his racism. I hope he loses everything and wouldn’t cry if something bad happened to him. What goes around will come around for Zimmerman, like it did for OJ (I didn’t agree with that verdict either)
I’m being cynical, but I suspect that there will be book deals, paid appearances, etc. Zimmerman is probably anticipating a bonanza from this.
That’s why the lawsuit is important. That is why there was a civil trial after the OJ trial. The prospect of having funds seized turned off a lot of people from making offers. That is why we no longer see books (at least on the crime) from murderers in prison-there were laws passed that said that those funds had to go to the victims or to the state.
Down the Palin path – put a note on face book – and roll in the money. So horrible that even in times of austerity so many would give money to a child killer.
My guess is the apartment complex has some culpability the hired him as “neighborhood watch”! DOJ already has civil rights case to try GZ just like they did for Rodney King.
I think they (via insurance) have already settled with the Martin family
They can tie up his future book/movie deals. And you know those deals are coming.
“Wake up everybody no more sleeping in bed. No more backwards thinking. Time for thinking ahead.”
Wake up everybody!
A young child’s life was taken. A father’s and mother’s pain is felt all over the country tonight. A racist psycho is free to leave the state that passed a law to shoot first. A traitor flees to Russia, he is applauded as a hero. Women are being dragged out of public buildings for protesting their rights to be a women.
God bless America!
Really……..?
They gave back Zimmy his life now who is going to give back Trayvon’s his. I am so mad right now the tears keep flowing and it won’t stop.
GZ will never be free — even for someone with no conscious, it will wear on him and weigh on him…literally — he is fat and unhealthy, karma will get him
Pnthrgrlgail @Mama4Obama1 25m
This-> RT @fivefifths: A system cannot fail those it was never built to protect
Retweeted by Goldie Taylor
Expand
That’s the absolute TRUTH!
Just feeling numb. On one hand, not surprised. On the other hand, allowed myself to hope that the jury would have come back with a guilty verdict, even if for the lesser charge.
And I am disgusted by the smiles of the State Attorney. She seems very pleased with the verdict. No appearance of outrage; not even disappointment.
God DAMN America!
Trayvon Martin never stood a chance with that jury.
He sure didn’t.
AMEN!!!!!!
Yes, to hell !
Wow, just heard this news and had to come to TOD to share my outrage and sadness at this verdict. I was afraid this would happen but I kept thinking, no, no it just can’t. But it did. Also just finished reading an article about a woman (in Mississippi I think) who was put in prison after she had a miscarriage and a jury found evidence of manslaughter. It seems it is impossible for us to really make progress. This is so upsetting.
Up is down and down is up, and we’ve just got to all stick together.
Yes indeed! We must not despair! We must do what Black folks did after the murder of Emmett Till; that’s to resolve to fight back. Sadly for Black folks, their history in this country has been characterized by one step forward and two steps backward. Incidentally, all the steps backwards have come as result of what historian say were periods of conservative reaction to progress. This happened in 1790’s and early 1800 following the American Revolution that was supposedly guided by the concepts of freedom, justice and Equality. It happened again with the Jim Crow era that came after the Civil War and Reconstruction which had set in motion the freeing of slaves and making them citizens. It happened again after the Civil Rights movement with the election of Ronald which ushered in the modern conservative movement. It’s now happening all over again, this time relatively quickly, following the election of the first African American President.
I think the most important challenge is how white folks who call themselves liberal and progressive will react. In the past many were quick to give up supporting Black freedom and focus on other things. Just as some white progressives are doing now with their obsession about Imaginary fears about the loss of civil liberties, when the real denial of rights is happening to women, Blacks and immigrants.
Well said, nath.
“I think the most important challenge is how white folks who call themselves liberal and progressive will react. In the past many were quick to give up supporting Black freedom and focus on other things. Just as some white progressives are doing now with their obsession about Imaginary fears about the loss of civil liberties, when the real denial of rights is happening to women, Blacks and immigrants.”
Yes, nath.
It is for each of us, irrespective of ethnicity, color of skin, gender … whatever … to realize that WE ARE HUMANITY. Each person. Every Person. WE ARE HUMANITY and we need to treat every member of HUMANITY with respect.
Yes We Can
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.”
Why can’t the NAACP go after this without the DOJ?
They can be the foot soldiers/which they always have been/but the DOJ has the power to deal with racial profiling
I don’t think the Justice Department can legally go after individuals who are not employed by state government institutions. Civil Rights laws mainly deal state (and their sub-divisions) violation of Civil Rights. But then again may be NAACP lawyers know what they are talking about. I think the NAACP should be aggresively assisting the parents of Trayvon to file a wrongful death suit instead of pressuring the Justice Department.
whatever they want to do…I will support them…we must ORGANIZE….
Maybe the NAACP brings the federal suit on behalf of Trayvan, and the DOJ would have to handle it in federal court, since a civil rights violation is a federal crime? I hadn’t thought of this. In addition to a civil suit to be filed by his parents, this was a violation of Trayvon Martin’s civil rights, and I’m pretty sure that effer would get time in a federal prison … well, not sure, but I’m going to “cling” to that.
If Zimmerman were a police officer or an employee of the State of Florida (including all the governmental sub-divisions), then the justice department could file a suit alleging the violation of Trayvon’s civil rights. In this case Zimmerman is a private individual. I know of no statute or a court precedents that empowers the federal government to intervene. Of course I could be wrong.
Signed and sent to others I know. This disgusting murderer shouldn’t have a day’s happiness. May he always feel pursued, paranoid, and never at peace.
The sight is down. Hope it’s because everyone wants to sign.
It may be because NAACP realized that the Justice Department cannot intervene in a case that is between two private citizens. Murder committed by individuals — except in areas like bank robbery, drug dealing and carjacking, where you have explicit federal statutes mandating federal involvement– is purely a State matter.
I was finally able to get on. Have no idea of laws but there are federal hate crimes. I signed. Must try anything.
Maybe it’s because so many are trying to sign that petition, but I keep getting an error message when I try to submit my name.
Trayvon Martin= 2013′s Emmitt Till
complete with the all-White jury
The non-arrest of Zimmerman after the initial shooting pretty set the stage. Law enforcement was okay with Zimmerman’s actions. Can’t help but feel that this whole trial was a matter of going through the motions just to appease the masses.
I think it was Joy Reid who earlier said that one thing that might come into play with this jury is that these women are residents of Sanford. You have to wonder how much their concerns about living in this community came into play in making their decision.
Joy’s comment might be right, but keep in mind this was a Seminole County Courthouse, so perhaps they didn’t all live in the city of Sanford. If they were intimidated by their concerns about living in the community, maybe one will speak out.
Also, that evil Frank Taffee – GZ’s evil friend – told Nancy Grace that he had the word that 5 wanted to acquit and 1 was holding out. I thought at first he was just measuring up the fact that 5 jurors were white. But when she asked him where he got the info, he put his disgusting finger to his mouth in a “Shhh” gesture. If he received any word from inside the jury room about the 5-to-1 situation, if it were true and just not his bloviating, if that comes out, I think maybe it could be a mistrial.
Let us pray someone will pick up on that.
I’m going to send her a question about it.
good going Jackie
MirandaObot: The hate for black people is boiling over. We are being punished for daring to want to breathe
Revolution next?
When my sons were teenagers my husband and I had to sit them down and explain to them that they would be profiled when they entered stores and would be pulled over for driving while black and then taught how to handle themselves if approached by the police. All these precautions had to be made simply because they were black. Now as I await the birth of my grandchildren we will have to teach them how to walk while black for fear that they may be perceived as “thugs” if they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I think I had better go to bed.
Good Night TOD.
Donna, every black mother and father in American needs to have this talk with their son’s and daughters, as much as it broke my heart,we had the same talk with my son. I will always remember that look of bewilderment on his face
Don West fuck off. Pardon my language everyone
No need.
The minute that verdict was reached and I saw the look on GZ’s face, I turned off all cable news and will not watch it for quite some time. Tonight’s images were enough for my old brain.
Don West will probably have an ice cream flavor named after him and his fucking family. Pardon my language, too.
@worldwatcher—Trayvon was put on trial for his lynching and found guilty.
Yes Indeed rikyrah. As i’ve said in my earlier comment, I regard these so called “Stand your Ground laws” as a modern version of lynching. Except this time lynching is made legal, whereas in the past, lynching was extralegal, though carried out with the acquiescence of government.
Absolutely, Rikyrah, I don’t even want my grandson to go back to school. He has asperger’s and I don’t trust his white teachers and administrators to treat him fairly if and when. He displays some of the rages that accompany this affliction. I think they’d call the cops and send him to jail. I really am afraid for my sons now. Even more than before.
I haven’t felt this sick to my stomach since the 2004 presidential election.
Ugh.
I feel the same.
I’m with you there.
My African-American son turned 17 just two days ago and I feel physically ill hearing this verdict. His reaction to this verdict brought me to tears, he threw his hands in the air with despair. My prayers go out to Trayvon’s family as my heart breaks.
You are not alone, Evonnc! I have a daughter, but I also have nephews a grand nephew who turned 14 in April. Today the jurors in Florida said it was legal to lynch a 17 year old black boy. Make no mistake about this. These so called “Stand your Ground laws” are a modernized version of the old extralegal “Lynch Law.” In the past, extralegal lynching was blamed on mob rule though the governments (Local, State, and federal) stood by and did nothing to bring the lynchers to justice. Modern lynching, what is exactly what happened to Trayvon, is sanctioned by law. In both the old and new forms of lynching, the victims are deemed to be the perpetrators.
Horrendous.
Kat, I am so heartbroken and stunned.
We all are, COS.
Shocking, Jackie. I just don’t know the words.
Me too, COS. Unbelievable.
I am ashamed to live in Florida. This is not my America! I held out hope but I knew this would happen. I don’t know what else to say but, this southern white woman is ashamed to be a southern white woman.
Anger and hate is entering my heart. I can’t stay on so I will wish you all prayers and love!
I too am white and am ashamed of those six white women, I do not know anybody who said Zimmerman was not guilty, Who were those jurors, six gun toting white women. I am sick. This country is getting more disgusting by the day. I say to you arrogant white folks, you are soon going to be the minority, think about it. To Trayvon’s parents I am so sorry.
I’m more a northeastern white woman, but I’m moving back to Florida (where I lived for 17 years) from the midwest in September. One place I won’t be living is Sanford, although this could happen anywhere.
But there is very little Racism in the Military. We all work together, no matter the Race, Creed or Color of skin.
But sexism exists in the military, especially upper echelon.
FYI!
Worked as a civilian for the Navy for 30 years, and we were always taught the military is the “model employer” for the nation, and they’ve come a long way). But you are right about the sexism – and worse – within the military ranks. That, unfortunately, is still reflecting the nation rather than the other way around. Luckily, Defense Secretary Hagel has made that his #1 goal to do something about, especially at the higher echelon levels.
Between this and the overturning of the voting rights act if this doesn’t get people off their bottoms and into the voting booths in 2014 I don’t know what will. These BS laws have got to be overturned. The ONLY way to get a handle on the hatred in this country is to control the ballot box. I know it’s little consolation for this horrible injustice, but I want to do something and I don’t know what else to do. I can’t stop crying. My heart just aches.
Agreed. So many things have happened lately that are so obviously wrong. VRA, this verdict, women’s right’s being ripped apart, just to name a few. The only way we make this right, is to get angry and then get determined and get to work to do whatever it takes to fix these things that make our system unjust. We HAVE to do this, and do this now. For every POC, for every woman, for every citizen. This should give everyone the resolve they need to begin the long haul to make this right. Trayvon is all our sons….a human being that deserved justice. It was denied. We need to make sure we win this battle at the ballot box. Get rid of the cancer that runs through local govt that enable ALEC and the NRA….we know what we have to do.
While I agree with this sentiment, I am not hopeful at all that it will not get only worse.
It can be the darkest before the day… the march towards Freedom has never been an easy path
I agree with the Mayor. Any one who fully understands the experience of Black people in this country knows fully well that whatever progress we’ve made have never been one continuous straight forward march. Rather, periods of small progress have usually been followed by more periods of regression, sometimes even more intense than before. But the one thing that has been constant has been our resolve to struggle to push on, even in the face of what appears to be hopeless situations. Despair for Black people has never been, and should never be, an option.
I hope what happened today made crystal clear the naivety of those who prematurely declared the death of racism.
Goodnight my dear TOD Family. Candles are burning, there is Light work to be done. Mighty hugs all around.
I felt that verdict deeply. I am so hurt that this murdering bastard got away with killing that child. Justice was NOt served. Zimmerman from this day forward better watch himself.
I’m still numb. I watched a lot of the trial and clips of the trial. I heard Zimmerman’s lies on Hannity and at the police station. My question is how does he not have ANY accountability since he got out of his car when told by the dispatcher that they didn’t need him to do that. What about Trayvon’s friend’s testimony – oh she was just a not-so-smart black girl. Trayvon was stalked, but he didn’t have a right to defend himself from a grown man.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Let me say this before I go, there is a family who lost there loved, they would never see him again, and tonight verdict was just another kick in the gut to that family. I pray for them to find peace, to deal with what has been dealt them. We don’t know why things happen the way they do, but my heart goes out to the Martin family. Bless them.
Beautiful sentiment. And bless you, too, anniebella. You have a very generous heart, which you bring here every day.
I totally share your sentiments, Anniebella. Trayvon’s family was devastated by the news of the loss of their son. Today the family has been dealt another devastating blow. I just can’t begin to imagine the depth of their pain. All we have to do is to pray that the family finds strength to endure. Another thing we have to do is to organize and mobilize than ever before to get rid of these laws that are legalizing the lynching of young Black men. That way we can, in a small way, honor the memory of Trayvon.
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/07/13/if-i-had-a-son-hed-look-like-trayvon-pres-obama/
With the St.Atty doing all that grinning with pride about the “fairness of the trial”! Could it have been a set up?
Don’t doubt it for a moment.
For those who need a “cause” to be motivated to vote in 2014, here’s yet ANOTHER reason.
I just want to say that I am heartbroken about the verdict of George Zimmerman. He is guilty with blood on his hands and a court of law of all female jurors who most resembles him says that he was justified in killing a male child who was minding his own business. I really wonder how he will live with himself. Any time a AA male is looking for justice when he is at the mercy of an all female jury that does not look like him can expect no mercy. I was really doubtful yet I had a glimmer of hope of justice prevailing and tonight my heart aches.
Anerica is at a crossroad of bring another South Africa Minority control of racist individuals heading for a slave ship if we do not remain vigilant.
We must continue the fight. Love y’all.
I came here when I heard the results of the trial after following all of it closely. I was almost sure the lesser verdict of Manslaughter would be decided upon. It seemed so obvious. I thought the Prosecution did not totally prove their case, but the lesser charge seemed like a slam dunk. I will never forget that defense attorney carrying in that concrete slab saying this was Treyvon’s weapon. I would have laughed at that assertion if I had been there especially seeing the photos of GZ’s head. I feel sorry for TM’s family.
There was an article about the couple eating at a restaurant, accosted by a drunk slob, who proceeded to call the man something I can’t even write. The man proceeded to knock the guy to the ground, and with that one blow he fell and smacked his head so hard he lost consciousness. If Trayvon had done what these ignoramuses say he did and pummeled his head into the ground, GZ wouldn’t have been able to walk away.
As old and slow as I am, I’m stilled gobsmacked, Bob.