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Million Hoodie March for Trayvon Martin
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Wed Mar 21, 2012 7:51 PM EDT
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I've never had any real desire to visit NYC until this.
You GO!!!!! 'We're mad as HELL and we aren't gonna take it anymore!'
DAMN This MADNESS. Ok it's legal to own a gun but who sold this idiot the bullets.
This is beautiful.
Police insist Florida law prohibits arrest of the white/hispanic murderer of an African American child if he claims self defense after chasing down the child?
This march is proof that Republicans have turned Florida into a third world country.
I honestly believe the American people have good intentions. It's unfortunate how many of our laws have such undesirable and unintended consequences. This is the case for Trayvon , who my heart hurts for, this is the case regarding drug laws and how we prosecute drug users and sellers, how we publicly humiliate non-violent young sex offenders (i.e. a voyeurism or exhibitionist charge) to the point they commit suicide, when statistics show with some therapy they would have made an easy recovery and healthy transition back into society. So many examples of good intentions going terribly wrong as we speak. The killer of this poor boy operates like many Americans do, under a cloud of constant fear. Fear of minorities, fear of the "immoral", fear of foreigners, fear of gays, fear of a God. We as a people are achieving a higher level of consciousness where there is no room for fear, prejudice, Holy Roller judgement, or the Medieval laws such as the one that would keep Trayvon's killer from doing time. (I managed to say all that without mentioning the word "republican"! Amazing.. oh crickets I said it..well what I say applies to Dems too I dare say)
FEAR! Garbage! Plausible deniability. Zimmerman planned to murder that boy. He made that 911 call to provide himself a "Florida" alibi for using deadly force against a Black teen.
Where's your hoodie, Rachel? Will you so us some love? #millionhoodiemarch
It figures yet another idiotic BUSH was in support of the 'stand your ground' law and signed it. How does it feel to be paid by the NRA with blood money Jeb.
There are two debates to be had in the Stand Your Ground law: 1) the unintended consequences - the debate that everyone seems to be having. 2) due diligence on the part of the police to thoroughly investigate the self defense claim. EVERY SHOOTING SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED! If Treyvon Martin had survived, he would have been questioned, his side of the story would have been told, and a judgement would have been made. He's dead, which should be MORE of a reason, not less so, to thoroughly investigate the shooter's story. They didn't even investigate, Zimmerman just shrugged his shoulders, said "i felt threatened - i stood my ground" and walked away WITH A LOADED GUN! I'm sure any criminal would just love it if they could tell their side of the story to the police and have the police take them at their word. Whether "Stand your ground" provides a legal defense against prosecution is up for debate, whether it should protect against any sort of investigation is just asinine, ridiculous, and frankly just plain lazy on the part of the police. I'm sure if it was a cop that got shot, they would not have let the shooter walk on a stand your ground defense...
Why hasn't anyone asked or presented the arguement that Trayvon was "holding his ground" only after attempting "to leave or flee" while George was stalking and was the aggressor? And, isn't the defence arguement an arguement to present to the police AFTER an arrest with an attorney- not to prevent an arrest, especially when one of them is dead.
You beat me to it! Was literally going to ask this same thing. How do we know that Treyvon- who told his girlfriend on the phone 'this guy is following me'- didn't decide to 'stand his ground' when Zimmerman began chasing him? For all we know Treyvon was attempting to accomplish the same goal as Zimmerman. All this means is that the only reason why Zimmerman isn't considered a perp is because he was the victor in the battle. That's not even remotely close to justice.
Ditto.
The 911 call and witness statements indicate George Zimmerman stalked Trayvon and started pistol whipping Trayvon when he caught up to him after he started running away.
That is how George Zimmerman's nose got broken.
Trayvon was killed after he started fighting back with a stalker that caught up to him while he was running away.
Then the police and the district attorney act like the murder victim did something wrong simply because the victim is black.
This is the kind of thing that happens in third world countries.
I'm glad you mentioned that we are acting like a 3rd world county. That is so true, I hope a lot of people listen/
It's a pity that the "stand your ground" defense is essentially a blame-the-victim argument, especially when said victim is a teenager armed with a bag a Skittles and Sweet Tea...
Tired of this b.s…. so sad to have these people make up their minds to kill based on what they "think" is a threat. So sad for Trayvons' family and loved ones (and all the other people that fell because of someone "thinks" they have no option but to shoot. The 9-11 call sounded like they said, well if he's black, then must be up to something. But they said to wait, but the vigilante wanted to shoot someone… this is awful.
Sorry for the double post- don't mean to spam- but I wanted to add this as a separate thought.
Please people, for the love of who knows what, 'common sense' is a logical fallacy. There is a reason why it's a logical fallacy. When people make the statement 'common sense' says X they are doing so precisely because there is no evidence to suggest or support their conclusion and no argument to suggest or support their conclusion. When a person says 'this law is a common sense law that will make our communities safer' what they are really saying is that they have absolutely no reason to believe that the law will work for it's intended purpose.
And as Rachel so wisely stated tonight when you put laws into effect those laws have consequences. Now you cannot always know every consequence a law or policy will have. Often times there will be unintended consequences that no one could have guessed. But at the time this law was passed people were already aware that there could be problems of two people 'standing their ground' and killing each other, or other citizens, or an innocent person being killed because he was 'thought' to be a crime. So saying that this was a knowable consequence isn't an exaggeration. This law represents so many laws that the GOP has backed like those that strip contraception funding away from Planned Parenthood or other programs that assist the poor. The consequence of this, of course, will be to increase the amount of people who are poor and thus need governmental assistance. This ends up costing more in the long run. Now it's OK to say you are still in favor of such a law anyways, but these consequences have to be actualized as part of the discussion when they are so reasonably there to foresee. And it's irresponsible and incomprehensible that either a politician or his constituents would not hold such a standard for policy.
I have to agree, there is really no such thing as common sense.
Ditto.
We are very confused about the situation of Trayvon Martin case. Is it not true that in a police shooting, even they have to give up their fire arm and go on leave until the shooting is investigated? I believe that if the chief of police didn't ask for the questionable gun, he should be released from his position. You don't need to be told about the history of African Americans being shot without cause. This should have been handled immediately, not trying to cover things up by protecting the shooter. Thank you for addressing this issue thoroughly on your show and making this comment page available.
Makes me feel a little dubious about visiting Florida or any of these other states that have adopted these "Stand your Ground" laws.
Makes tourism in these "Stand your Ground" states a dangerous undertaking and would suggest we all let families know what could happen if they so chose to take vacations in these states.
Just by asking for directions could be seen as cause for someone to lawfully shoot you, that not the sort of state I would want my family to vacation in.
Maybe if we spread the word and start boycotting these states until they come to their sensors and reverse this stupid law.
That should be a great concern for Floridians. I will not visit Florida because I may be considered suspicious and shot, with no justice.
Bottom line!
This is why we HAVE police, we cannot justify killing a person because we thought he was going to steal something!!!!
This town of Sanford does not sound like a rural place, police NEED to be involved in theft.
If I am on that jury, whatever happens after Trayvon tells his girlfriend "someone is following me" is not relevant. Then Trayvon is defending himself.
Because one suspects a thief, does not give them a license to kill. This man did not follow (however prejudiced) directions of police and became judge, jury and executioner of an innocent person.
The police are acting in a manner that smacks of cover-up.
I hope there will be some kind of justice done by FBI and Florida dumps this stupid law.
Police… think, what do we need you for if we have people with guns out there shooting it out?
Courts? Prisons? Now some tea party advocate probably likes the idea, but I sure as hell will not go to such states or spend any money there.
I had no idea from Rachel Maddow's segment on the law tied to this case how exactly it led to the shooting. It was an epic fail on that level.
The "Stand Your Ground" law author, Florida Rep. Dennis Baxley, in his own words, has "been in the funeral services profession for over 40 years..."
No further comment.
It's just the tip pf the iceberg. One investigation is not enough! There are others who have harmed!
There have been many deaths using the Stand Your Ground law since its passage. It has been reported recently that last year 40 UNARMED persons were killed by those using Florida's justifiable homicide law as an out.
The investigation of Trayvon's tragic death is only one case, and it isn't enough. The DOJ and FBI should do an entire investigation of the results from the implementation of the law from the very beginning.
What are the statistics on those persons who have been killed? (Age, race, sex, armed or unarmed, etc.)
Common Sense ... isn't that common.
Or, to quote Deadpool (warning, some harsh language, be advised):
http://www.myconfinedspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/common-sense-superpower.jpg
If this man was in his comfy SUV with a gun how did he feel he was in harms way from a boy walking? While in his SUV gun handy and talking to 911 he decided this boy was suspicious and made remarks and racial over tones to 911 which then directed him not to follow the boy as the police were on there way. This man felt his life was immanent
danger as he followed this boy in his SUV. He was now in hot pursuit of a scared boy running away from his SUV talking to his girl friend telling him just run. This man fearing for his life in his SUV caught up to the boy got out of his SUV and confronted the boy running away and shot him dead as this was the only way he could defend himself. What else could he have done to protect himself from this boy leaving a store carrying skittles and ice tea, just drive away? I don't think so
If this man was in his comfy SUV with a gun how did he feel he was in harms way from a boy walking? While in his SUV gun handy and talking to 911 he decided this boy was suspicious and made remarks and racial over tones to 911 which then directed him not to follow the boy as the police were on there way. This man felt his life was immanent
danger as he followed this boy in his SUV. He was now in hot pursuit of a scared boy running away from his SUV talking to his girl friend telling him just run. This man fearing for his life in his SUV caught up to the boy got out of his SUV and confronted the boy running away and shot him dead as this was the only way he could defend himself. What else could he have done to protect himself from this boy leaving a store carrying skittles and ice tea, just drive away? I don't think so
My prayers and condolences to Travon Martin's family and friends. This is more than a tragedy, this looks like clear murder and a conspiracy to cover it up. If not, why didn't the national news have information last night of the confrontation with detail? Because they are hiding the details? I am a white male w/ to 1/2 Latino daughters, (why does that matter?). I am now afraid to visit a state which would not only leave a murder suspect un-arrested, but not take his gun away! In Michigan we have some form of right to protect ourselves from a perpetrator. I don't know if it is as ridiculous as Florida's or not. I believe if someone breaks into my house, I have and would do what's necessary to protect my family. But a civilian, with a gun, patrolling his neighborhood, then confronting and killing a young man, then not being held 'til cleared?! This is a scary, pre 1962, 3rd world way of life! I've just canceled my summer trip to Florida. 'might as well take my chances in the Mexican outback! Unless the authorities come clean with some clear information to the contrary, Florida is not a safe place to be unless you are white, large, and packing heat. This is not civilization, and from the onset, this seems to have racism painted all over it. Again, my prayers are with the Martin family and friends.
I believe all members of the Sanford police force involved in this incident should be fired. Their pensions and 401K accounts should be forfeited and all assets including their automobiles and homes should be seized. Half of these funds should go to Trayvon's family and the other half goes to campaign to remove Jeb Bush and Allen West from public office in Florida. We haven't heard a peep out of that slimeball Mr. West.
I am a public defender have represented many people accused of shooting others, some of whom had very obvious self-defense claims. This never stopped the police from arresting and seeking charges. It was my job to raise the defense and I never had a DA dismiss the charges outright. It was left for the jury to decide whether the use of force was justified. That being said, I have never represented a white, gated community resident who chased after and shot a black kid walking through the neighborhood. The police's decision not to arrest Zimmerman is unusual. I would love to know if this police force has done this kind of thing before or if Zimmerman is getting special treatment.
Self defense is a decision to be determined by a court of law, not by a police officer while standing over a dead child. I am so upset for this family and the abrupt ending of this child's life because a self-appointed savior of the community who has aggression problems decides to kill him. I do not understand why the police department is so invested in keeping Zimmerman from accountability. There is something we don't know. Is he the brother-in-law of the police captain?
No, apparently he is the son of a prominent lawyer/former judge(father) and a long-standing, 20yrs+, clerk of the courts(mother). If the police hierarchy concerned didn't know his parents personally(highly likely) then they were probably threatened with a lawsuit if they went anywhere near him. Once the decision to let him walk had been made, their hands were tied and they had to keep to their story, regardless of the consequences. They probably just hoped it would go un-noticed, like so many of these crimes have before.
The more I read/hear about this the more SCREWED UP it is. I saw CSI yesterday walking the grounds collecting "evidence." WHAT evidence? Zimmerman went home wearing the clothes he had on, carrying the gun, driving the car. No drug or alcohol test.
I just heard on TV a few minutes ago that the Sanford Police "force" is sticking to their story, that Zimmerman was not in the wrong.
I am a 65 year old white grandmother in Illinois and I don't know if, other than the Anthony case, anything has ever made me so sick OR so angry. I have a 17 year old grandson who wears a hoodie and walks places. Sometimes he buys Skittles. He walks through his own neighborhood which has a neighborhood watch. When I see Trayvon's face, I see my own grandson. It breaks my heart.
Wonderfully powerful photos of the Million Hoodie March. This is what American Solidarity looks like.
I am just PISSED OFF DAMN!!!! I have four sons, My GOD they are Trayvon!!!! I am looking to start a protest march in Houston, Texas...
Lawsuits should be filed against the Zimmerman, police dept., city of Sandford, homeowners association, and state of Florida.