Marc W. Polite | The Time
As the trial of George Zimmerman winds down, the Orlando police are reportedly bracing for possible riots in the event that the defendant walks. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office release two public service announcements urging people to “raise their voice, not their hands” if they are unhappy with the verdict. Meanwhile, church leaders, who have been given seats at the trial, have pledged to use their influence in the community to quell any violence.
Given the way law enforcement delayed over Trayvon Martin’s fatal shooting—it was 46 days before George Zimmerman was arrested—there is cause for concern. It was a groundswell of protest from the black community that brought the shooting to the nation’s attention—remember the One Million Hoodie March? This case has sparked a movement—in defense of young black men and in opposition to Stand Your Ground law. But the pre-emptive call for calm runs counter to recent history, and may be akin to racial fear mongering.
The last major racial riot occurred in Los Angeles after four police officers were acquitted in the brutal beating of Rodney King. That was 21 years ago. Since then, there have been several other racially-charged cases that might have provoked an outpouring of protest but did not. The police officers who murdered Sean Bell in a hail of 50 bullets were acquitted in 2008, and no riots ensued. The indictment of the officer that shot and killed Bronx teenager Ramarley Graham was tossed out earlier this year, even with footage of the police following him into his Bronx home. His mother didn’t call for riots. She made t-shirts to protest.
In some ways, the calls for order recapitulate what this case is all about—the assumption of violence on the part of the black community, and of black men. No one seems to be concerned about the possible violence of Zimmerman supporters if Zimmerman is convicted. To try to preemptively deter the black community from taking matters into their own hands should they feel justice has not been done is ironic considering that Zimmerman’s actions themselves were a kind of vigilanteeism—a violence above and beyond what many, including the prosecution and Martin’s family, feel was necessary.
If Zimmerman is acquitted, people will be upset, but they will find other avenues to show their dissatisfaction. The black community has become more sophisticated in protesting injustice, and there is talk already of using economic boycotts and other means that are more effective than upheavals that would only result in heavier police repression. Should Zimmerman walk, the response will be long-term and focused on ending Stand Your Ground so that this cannot happen again. After all, this case probably would not even have come to trial without the sustained outpouring of protest—all of it non-violent.
Zimmerman is Found Not Guilty and The Hordes start rioting in the Ghetto Slum of Oakland, CA. I thought the Black Pussy Party threatened WHITE Neighborhoods…. Their Low IQ is really showing… The Black Pussy Party is Afraid to meet some REAL firepower by taking their fight to the Good Ol’ WHITE BOYS. Burn the American Flag, you don’t even know what it means anyway….Knuckle Dragging SCUM.
I live in the Chicago area and that was black on black crime! I too have followed this crime closely and the hidden FACTS have been omitted supporting evidence that would easily convict Zimmerman of at the very least criminal man slaughter.
How is a Neighborhood Watch Commander Following a suspicious person after dark justify Manslaughter OR 2nd Degree Murder. Following a Suspicious suspect and calling 911 is not against the law you Retarded Turds! A Teenager bashing someone’s head on the sidewalk is a life threatening attack. Justifiable Homicide! The Sanford Chief of Police was RIGHT. There was no evidence to support those BULLSHIT Charges. You people need to pull your heads out of your asses.
Attack by Malicious Toolkit Website 12 once again. That is twice today Pakalert!
So preparing for riots is racial fear mongering but having the Black Panthers drumming up bus rides filled with people TO RIOT is not a problem at all?
How come they say this is racial profiling … I just read on another web page that the NBPP is busing in thousands to Sanford, Fla.
I think Zimmerman is guilty of manslaughter, he didn’t have ot bother that boy, he was told ot stand down and didn’t, he should have just let it go. I’m white and I am also half hispanioc and I think he was wrong but if the blacks make a violent protest afterward it will seem as though Martin was wrong , look how violent blacks are, they are against the law if they cause trouble. let it go and let the courts handle it, they will probably find him guilty of something, just not standing down when told was enough for me, he should do some jail time, a Mother lost her son for no reason. .
Madeline, Usually we both agree. I have been researching the evidence and paying attention to the testimony.
First Trayvon was seen on top of Zimmerman beating him. Zimmerman’s nose was broken and he had tweo gashes on the back of his head by having it slammed into the ground. Trayvon had bad intent in his mind. He did not know that Zimmerman was armed. Zimmerman only pulled the gun after Trayvon was on top beating him almost senseless. It was a life threatening situation. In addition Zimmerman was a member of the neighborhood watch and it was his job to keep an eye on any suspicious activity. Trayvon attacked Zimmerman because Zimmerman was keeping an eye on him.
When is being a neighborhood watch “stalking”?
Of course they are calling racism but Zimmerman for all intents and purposes is Hispanic, not white. However those who want race riots (including Barry Sotero) are calling it a white on black crime.
However nobody seems concerned at all with black on lack crime which far exceeds white on black crime and black on white crime as evidenced by the 47 deaths last weekend in Chicago alone.
5 War Veteran….well Put. I’m just glad Madeliene Tector wasn’t on his jury….An accused person and even the Prosecution needs a LOGICAL person , not an Emotional bleeding Heart liberal. Madeliene ….Trayvon’s Mother lost her son because he was a THUG…Trayvon got Justice …in the form of a bullet. Bash someone’s head in (anyone of any race) and you might get a bullet through the heart. Someone needs to teach these Hood Rats that not everyone will just lie down and be a victim. This will happen Time and Time again. Get your bleeding hearts ready to bury more Trayvon Martins.
In the July 9 story concerning Snowden and his assylum being granted by Venezualia, along with his supposed “revelations” of U.S. military secrets concerning UFO’s bothers me. The Venezualia part I’ll believe, but the UFO part I suspect is made up. And not by Snowden, but by someone or some group of people wanting to undermine and discredit him by reporting that he made those outlandish claims. If Snowden DID make those claims himself to the news source that broke the story, I am certain the statements about beings living in our beautiful Earth’s mantle were coerced.