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Shot for being a black boy in a white area - please read

163 replies

TheRhubarb · 20/03/2012 13:08

Apologies if this has been posted - I couldn't find it.

Trayvon Martin was a 17yo boy who lived in a largely white, gated area. He left his home to pop to the shops and was spotted by a white neighbourhood watch member. George Zimmerman called the police to let them know about this boy who was "like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something" before then saying "These assholes, they always get away.". He told the 911 operator that he was following Trayvon and was advised not to. Trayvon at that point had started running to get away from his follower.

Trayvon was not on drugs or acting suspiciously. He had bought a packet of skittles and a can of iced tea and was heading back home. He phoned a friend in a panic about being followed by Zimmerman, at that point the friend heard him say "why are you following me?" as Zimmerman cornered him to confront him, then there was a scuffle before the line went dead.

Zimmerman had ended up fighting with the 17yo. He had a gun, Trayvon had just his sweets and can of pop. Trayvon was heard by neighbours to shout for help before being blasted in the chest. He died on the spot, just yards from his own back door.

Zimmerman has not been arrested. He claimed he was acting in self defence. He has a history of raising false alarms to the police and broke neighbourhood watch rules by carrying a loaded gun. He is still free.

Trayvon's family and friends still have not come to terms with what has happened to their little boy who was not afraid to be seen kissing his dad in public and who once saved his dad's life by pulling him from the flames of a house fire.

Can you imagine if Trayvon had been white and Zimmerman black?

Please sign This petition to prosecute Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon. Please also share on your facebook walls. Cheers.

OP posts:
TheRhubarb · 22/03/2012 10:25

The police are refusing to arrest him, saying that there is no evidence to believe that he did not act in self defence.

This despite witness statements that Trayvon was heard screaming.
Despite the friend who he was on the phone to, telling of how scared he was that he was being followed.
Despite Trayvon not having any weapon on him.
Despite there being no evidence that Zimmerman was attacked in any way, but plenty of witness evidence to say that Zimmerman confronted and attacked Trayvon.

Would this happen in the UK?

OP posts:
worldgonecrazy · 22/03/2012 10:32

TheRhubarb as we don't have the same gun laws, I have doubts it would happen. Carrying of any weapon in public, or anything that is intended to be used as a weapon (hairspray, rolled up paper + coins, etc) is an offence.

Technically I could carry a shotgun or firearm in public if I had a licence, but to get a licence you have to have a valid reason for having that weapon, so 99.999% of people with licences are sane, rational and would never do so.

Luckily we also have less racism - that's not to say we don't have any racism, but we're definitely not as bad as the US. Disclaimer: I'm not trying to make out the UK is perfect, we're not, just not as bad as our American 'cousins'. Perhaps it's because we just presume that anyone under the age of 21 is obviously up to no good, regardless of their skin colour?

TheRhubarb · 22/03/2012 10:54

It was not that long ago that Stephen Lawrence was knifed to death by a group of white teenagers. The police refused to treat it as a racial attack for a long time and only now, nearly 20 years later have any arrests been made even though the police had a good idea who it was they were after. Witness statements were not taken, evidence was not gathered, etc.

Will Trayvon's family have to wait 20 years for justice?

Regardless of gun laws and self defence laws, this killing is not being seen as a racist attack and the police are refusing to act.

I'd like to think that the UK has learnt its lesson, but racism still runs deep in this society and in America. Presumptions based on colour, class, age and appearance is just as bad here as it is over there.

OP posts:
nappymaestro · 22/03/2012 14:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dreamingbohemian · 22/03/2012 14:52

This breaks my heart.

It's the 21st century for god's sake and black men are still being lynched.

The Klan called it self-defence as well.

TheRhubarb · 22/03/2012 14:57

I don't know why the government don't get directly involved in this. They say the case has been passed over to Federal Agencies but there has still not been an arrest.

More details are coming out about Zimmerman being arrested for pushing a cop and having a charge of domestic violence made against him, but ironically his dad says that it is his son who is the victim. Nothing whatsoever about the innocent 17yo who his son shot. No apology, no sympathies to his family, not even a mention.

Disgusting.

We need this trending.

OP posts:
dreamingbohemian · 22/03/2012 15:03

Law enforcement for local crimes is typically a state matter, so the federal government has to proceed quite carefully to override state agencies. If they don't, the case could later be overturned on the basis that it was unlawful for the feds to step in.

It's not really analagous to the UK. States have much more autonomy in the US.

I share your frustration though.

TheRhubarb · 22/03/2012 15:37

So nothing will be resolved and this crime will go unpunished, paving the way for further racist crimes to be classed as 'self defence'.

How can any black person feel safe in America?

OP posts:
charlearose · 22/03/2012 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cory · 23/03/2012 08:09

signed

emuloc · 23/03/2012 10:48

Signed. I am sat here wondering how these sort of things can still be happening. Is a black life not worth anything?

GummyBearGrandad · 23/03/2012 14:26

bump

CaveMum · 23/03/2012 15:22

Bumping and also adding that Obama has now weighed in on the story

As a thought, this thread may get more attention if you move it to Chat or even AIBU.

CaveMum · 23/03/2012 18:14

Bump

caramelwaffle · 23/03/2012 18:26

Bump

MsIngaFewmarbles · 23/03/2012 18:32

truly apalling.

signed

DowagersHump · 23/03/2012 18:55

As a parallel petition, what do people think about asking people to boycott Florida as a holiday destination until they revoke this asenine law?

TheRhubarb · 23/03/2012 22:37

Not a problem cause couldn't afford to go anyway but yes, the American government has the cheek to invade other countries and talk about appauling human rights records when they let killers walk free because apparently a black life means nothing Angry

Wake up Obama.

OP posts:
mazzarooni · 23/03/2012 22:47

Signed! My heart goes out to the boys family

maggiethecat · 23/03/2012 23:54

Signed

Don't know how it's taken so long for legal action to be taken. The presumption must be that a black life is worth little. Would not have happened in a million years had the killer been black and the murdered person white - he would have been on death row already.

BrightnessFalls · 24/03/2012 09:21

Signed. How can I post it on my facebook page?

emuloc · 24/03/2012 09:57

bump

merrymouse · 24/03/2012 10:06

I am finding this a bit confusing. It seems that essentially in Florida you can shoot somebody in a public space and claim it was self defence, and the onus is on the police to find evidence that this wasn't the case?

In Florida a fully grown man with a gun can claim he was threatened by a 17 year old with a bag of sweets and the police think that is a fair excuse?

PigletJohn · 24/03/2012 10:18

well put merrymouse

but the US is a funny place, and has some even funnier places in it

helpyourself · 25/03/2012 09:01

I can just about understand that they have a self defence get out, but for it not even to get to trial is extraordinary.

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