ZIMMERMAN NOT GUILTY



“We the jury finds the defendant not guilty” were the painful words read late last night in the Seminole County Court House in Sanford, Florida. For the second time, George Zimmerman has walked away a free man. This case has captured the attention of the entire nation, and will definitely go down in the history books. All of this first started last February of 2012 when Trayvon Martin, a unarmed black male teenager was murdered on his way home from the store with a bag of skittles and an ice tea in his possession. Due to Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law” the police allowed George Zimmerman to walk free. Thanks to the efforts of organizations like the National Action Network, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People rallies and marches all across the U.S. demanded that justice be served. A special state prosecutor was brought in and charged Zimmerman with the murder of Trayvon Martin. Now, over a year and a half later the verdict has been rendered and George Zimmerman is once again a free man. I respect the jury’s decision; however I am deeply saddened and disappointed with the verdict. Despite this, I am not surprised. I’m not surprised because first of all there were no blacks on the jury, and secondly I knew that the jury’s ultimate decision would be partially based off of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law.” Ultimately, the jury believed that it was necessary for Zimmerman to use deadly force to protect his life based on the “Stand Your Ground Law.” Furthermore, the prosecution did a poor job proving that George Zimmerman was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. So in essence this verdict is based off of a racially biased law that allows for racial profiling to exist in Florida. This law is flawed, and it must be overturned. As I reflect on the events that have transpired, I am reminded that this could have happened to me. This could have happened to my brother, cousin, or one of my friends. I am reminded that racial profiling still exists in America, and I am reminded that the fight for justice much continues. Mrs. Coretta Scott King once said, “Struggle is a never ending process. Freedom is never really won.  You earn it and win it in every generation.” So this generation of my peers must continue to fight unjust laws. We must continue to fight racial profiling, and in the process we must forever conduct ourselves on the high plane of dignity. The NAACP will petition the Department of Justice to file Civil Rights charges against George Zimmerman. Whether or not this will happen, will be decided upon by Attorney General Eric Holder. In the meantime I pray for peace, and most importantly I pray for the family of Trayvon Martin. Keep hope alive!

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