Demand Justice for Trayvon Martin

911 Call Recording Released
(The Atlantic)

More Information

The Killing of Trayvon Martin is Not a "Black Problem" (Mediate)

Was his killing self-defense, racism, or something else? (Time.com)

His Parents Call on the FBI to Get Involved (CBS News)

Trayvon Martin Killing Puts Stand Your Ground Law in Spotlight (NPR)

Justice Department, FBI to probe Florida teen's death (CNN)

George Zimmerman Unprotected By Self-Defense Law in Trayvon Martin Killing, Florida Lawmakers Say (HuffPo)

Sign the Petition for Justice (Sign-On.org)
I've talked about this case on Facebook, saying the following words:

March 18, 2012: I have not written about this at my blog, but I may later when I've calmed down. If I wrote about it now, the post would be a rant. Zimmerman should be treated like any other murdering racist. If Trayvon had been white, there would be no talk of letting Zimmerman off the hook the same way that if Sandra Fluke had been black, the outcry against Limbaugh would not have been nearly so strong.

March 19, 2012: How is it self-defense? Zimmerman saw Trayvon, called the police for no other reason than Trayvon was black and he didn't know him, and then stalked Trayvon even though the 911 operator told him not to follow Trayvon. Then he got out his car and accosted the young man with a gun, but due to the state's Stand Your Ground law, Zimmerman walks free claiming "self defense"?

I add now that based on Zimmerman's past (Reports suggest that he habitually called 911 and also focused on looking specifically for black men to report), it sounds as though he may be mentally unbalanced and has been a nuisance to others in his neighborhood. Why was this man allowed to have a gun, and why didn't the police department investigate and take him in immediately for further questioning? Black people, black men in particular, are repeatedly treated as though they should take whatever brutal treatment they get from police offers, but now it seems in Florida black men are being told they should also take whatever they get from self-appointed neighborhood watch leaders, including fatal bullets to the chest.

My heart and prayers go out to Trayvon's parents and to us in America, some of whom think the Trayvons of the world don't matter.

Cross-posted at WSATA.