I'm really shocked by this story, it seems like an almost undeniable case of police racism in Florida. It's been covered a lot by African American bloggers but only by parts of the mainstream US media, and hardly at all in the UK.
On February 26 just after sunset, Trayvon Martin, an African-American 17 year-old, left a family member's house to buy skittles and a soft drink from a local store. On his way back, the volunteer neighbourhood watch captain, George Zimmerman, 28, phoned the police to report that the teenager looked suspicious - saying that he was wearing a hoodie and walking slowly in the rain, looking around. The police told Zimmerman they were on their way, and not to follow the teenager. But Zimmerman followed him anyway, first in his car and then on foot, saying "These assholes always get away". He took his gun with him.
Witnesses heard screams for help and then a gunshot. Zimmerman had a bloody nose, Martin was dead.
The police questioned Zimmerman and then released him, saying that they could not charge him because he shot Martin in self-defense, fearing for his life. They told Martin's family that they believed Zimmerman because he had no criminal record, but a journalist later found that Zimmerman was charged in 2005 with resisting arrest and battery of a police officer, charges that were later dropped. Martin had no criminal record and no weapon.
One witness says that she heard Martin crying for help but that when she stated this to a policer officer they corrected her, saying it was Zimmerman crying for help. The police were forced to release the 911 tapes after protests; Martin's parents say that the person crying for help is their son.
Zimmerman still hasn't been charged with anything. The more I read about this case, the worse it gets.
Here is an article about it and there is a petition here for Zimmerman to be prosecuted.