The George Zimmerman trial was always about a great deal more than just whether or not Zimmerman committed a crime when he shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Whether it is fair or not the case ended up being a referendum on race in America and thousands of demonstrators took to the streets all across the country in reaction to Zimmerman's acquittal on Saturday night, according to the Associated Press.
Prior to the announcement of the verdict police had feared that Zimmerman's acquittal could cause nationwide riots. Luckily, fears of riots were unfounded; for the most part demonstrations were peaceful. In Los Angeles demonstrators blocked the 10 Freeway briefly and threw bottles and rocks at police, police responded by firing bean bags into the crowd. After the minor exchange the march continued with no further incidents of violence, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Protests also took place in New York, Oakland, Sanford, Fla., and Chicago among other locales. Seventy-three-year-old Maya Miller told the Associated Press that Martin's death reminded her of the killing of Emmitt Till, a teenager from Chicago who was killed by a group of white men in Mississippi in 1955.
"Fifty-eight years and nothing's changed," Miller lamented before continuing to chant, "Justice for Trayvon, not one more."
President Barack Obama made a statement recognizing that people may be fired up over the verdict but urging Americans to accept the ruling of the jury, according to The New York Times.
"The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy," President Obama said. "Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America. I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken."
One of the nation's most outspoken gun control advocates, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, placed blame for Martin's death on the lenient gun laws in the state of Florida, according to The New York Times.
"Sadly, all the facts in this tragic case will probably never be known," Bloomberg said. "But one fact has long been crystal clear: 'Shoot first' laws like those in Florida can inspire dangerous vigilantism and protect those who act recklessly with guns."
Demonstrators have stressed the importance of keeping their protests peaceful, including members of Martin's family. Milton Felton, a cousin of Martin's, spoke to The New York Times outside of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Miami Gardens, Fla.
"My heart is heavy," Felton said. "But that's our justice system. Let's be peaceful about it."
Vigils have been scheduled for this Saturday in over 100 cities across the country. Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton has also been adamant that demonstrations should remain peaceful, telling the Associated Press that any violence would mar Martin's name.
