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Vol. 76/No. 13      April 2, 2012

 
Protests condemn killing
of Black youth in Florida
 
BY NAOMI CRAINE  
MIAMI–Protests have spread in the three weeks since a neighborhood watch captain killed an unarmed Black teenager in Sanford, in central Florida. The cops have refused to file any charges against George Zimmerman, who claimed he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in self-defense Feb. 26.

Calls to a 911 dispatcher released by the police indicate Zimmerman followed Martin, who was walking from a store to a relative’s house, saying the youth looked like he was “up to no good.” Zimmerman then got out of his car, confronted Martin, and shot him in the chest.

“The evidence and testimony we have so far does not establish that Mr. Zimmerman did not act in self-defense,” said Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee.

“How can you claim self-defense and you are the aggressor?” Tracy Martin, Trayvon’s father, told The Associated Press.

Hundreds rallied in nearby Titusville March 18 demanding Zimmerman’s arrest. The next day the Black Law Students Association from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University protested in front of the Seminole County Courthouse.

More than 1,000 people protested in New York City’s Union Square March 21 to protest the killing of Trayvon.

As protests mount, Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte insists that police are “prohibited” from arresting Zimmerman.

Police Chief Lee announced March 22 he was “temporarily” resigning.

Further protests are planned.
 
 
Related articles:
Protests help put Philadelphia cop behind bars for murder  
 
 
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