Zimmerman Claims Self-Defense

BY VALENTINA CAVAL
Assistant A&E Editor

About a month ago in a city north of Orlando, Florida, a teenager was killed. Trayvon Martin, 17, who was African American, was unarmed when he was shot by the neighborhood watch coordinator on his walk home.

George Zimmerman, 28, is claiming self-defense and has not been arrested. The case is causing uproar throughout the nation, with the issue of racism being in question.

Protests are growing each week as the family and the public demand justice and continue to criticize the police investigation. After weeks of pressure, the police finally allowed access to the tapes of the 911 phone call to the family and the news media.

On the tapes, a shot is fired, followed by a voice of pleading and begging until the second shot is fired and the voice is no longer heard.

The police state that, under state law, they cannot arrest George Zimmerman, who was licensed to carry a concealed weapon without a cause.

Florida’s Self-Defense Law, also known as Stand Your Ground, creates a safe haven for people who act to protect themselves with a fear that they will be killed.

The family and the public, however, are outraged on the issue of self-defense because of the fact that they found Trayvon Martin with nothing but candy in his pockets.

The shooting took place in a white gated community. George Zimmerman, white and Hispanic, often patrolled the streets of the community at night. That night, he saw Trayvon, a tall, high school junior with his hood up, around 7 p.m. Mr. Zimmerman called the police, who then told him to stay in his car and that they were on their way. Mr. Zimmerman got out of his car.

The two of them got into a fight that was somewhat overheard by the neighbors. It ended with Trayvon being shot in the chest.

Now, the Florida community continues to be questioned on the issue of racism across the country. The need for justice is challenged on the events that occurred. Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law continues to be criticized.

The family continues to plead the Police Department to take action on the criminal act at hand and have pushed for the Department of Justice to act. The police, however, claim that they have not found evidence against Mr. Zimmerman’s claim of self-defense.

The public continues to protest and rally letting the country know that their opinion on the case will be expressed.

Email Valentina at:
vc7521@live.esu.edu