Black America and people of goodwill of all races watched in utter dismay as the jury in the George Zimmerman Trial issued its verdict of not guilty in the murder of Trayvon Martin. Once the case finally surfaced (after inexplicably being buried with no arrest of the killer for weeks), it was absolutely clear that Trayvon Martin was “racially” profiled as a “dangerous looking” Black man by a wannabe cop turned self-appointed vigilante named George Zimmerman.
View photos from Pittsburgh’s Hill District to protest Zimmerman verdict
More than 100 area residents gathered in Mellon Park to discuss the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial.
Two diverse rallies in Pittsburgh on Sunday merged at the Hill Distict’s Freedom Corner to speak out against the not guilty verdict issued Saturday night in George Zimmerman’s trial — culminating with a sit-in that blocked Centre Avenue.
UNION SQUARE — Hours after the decision of a Florida jury was released, clearing neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman of manslaughter and murder charges in the 2012 shooting death of the unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin, hundreds of protesters amassed in Times Square to decry the verdict.
Not very long ago people of color were murdered with impunity. Schools were segregated by law. Voting resulted in death threats. And, then, we changed America. We can do it…
There comes a time in each generation where something happens that is so grievous and horrendous that all people of decency and good-will are issued a clarion call to action.
The not guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman trial is such a moment. The gauntlet has been thrown down to the Black sons and daughters of Marcus, Martin and Malcolm; Harriet, Ida and Fannie to act now to raise the level of struggle.
In cities across the country, protests have taken shape in reaction to George Zimmerman’s acquittal of all murder charges in his second degree murder trial for the death of Trayvon Martin.
Like many Americans my sleep was troubled last night, troubled by the ghosts of past injustices, a feeling given fresh currency by a late-hour not guilty verdict from Sanford, Florida that freed George Zimmerman in the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.
We cannot pass the month of July without paying homage to our foremother, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, born July 10, 1875, laying down in peace and rising up in radiance May 18, 1955.
Fifty years ago this week, Medgar Evers, the NAACP regional secretary in Mississippi, was murdered by a member of the White Citizens’ Council. Evers’ death received national attention, serving only to strengthen the movement for civil rights. Two years later, President Lyndon Johnson delivered a historic commencement address at Howard University, laying out progress made and challenges unmet. Johnson praised the “indomitable determination” of African Americans demanding their freedom. He hailed the Supreme Court for outlawing segregation, as well as Congress for passing the first civil rights legislation in 100 years. The barriers to freedom are tumbling down, but “freedom …
African-Americans are again being shown the discounted value of Black life.
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The Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW, IBW21) is committed to enhancing the capacity of Black communities in the U.S. and globally to achieve cultural, social, economic and political equality and an enhanced quality of life for all marginalized people. – Learn more here
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