Zimmerman Verdict Sparks Strong Reactions Across the United States Juliana Barrera - VOXXI
go to original July 14, 2013

Crowd expresses outrage over the aquittal of George Zimmerman outside the courthouse in Sanford, Florida. (Stranahan)

A strong reaction has erupted across the country after a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

According to the Associated Press, protests are planned in cities including Boston, New York City, Chicago and San Francisco on Sunday, a day after a jury found the former neighborhood watch volunteer not guilty. The case unleashed debate across the U.S. over racial profiling, self-defense and equal justice.

Civil rights leaders, including the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, have urged peace. Jackson says the legal system “failed justice,” but violence isn’t the answer.

After the verdict, some angry protesters in Oakland, Calif., broke windows, burned flags and started small street fires. In Florida, about 200 demonstrators marched in Tallahassee carrying signs that said “Racism is Not Dead” and “Who’s Next?”

Despite Zimmerman being cleared of any wrongdoing, the 29-year-old’s family remained fearful.

“Clearly, you know, he’s a free man in the eyes of the court,” said his brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr. “But he’s going to be looking around his shoulder for the rest of his life. There are factions, there are groups, there are people that would want to take the law into their own hands.”

And while disappointed with the verdict, the Martin family asked supporters to keep the peace.

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