George Zimmerman was found not guilty of second-degree murder or manslaughter in relation to the death of Trayvon Martin on July 13. Chicago teenagers and adults flooded Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to voice their displeasure of the verdict.
Many of the city’s youth have labeled the ruling racist—saying that they were disappointed in the United States’ justice system. “Not really surprised just kind of disappointed,” tweeted by @xxMutsa. Another Twitter user @VanteTheAirman tweeted “Its not that surprising, its just extremely disappointing.” A couple hundred residents also took it upon themselves to rally peacefully at the Daley Plaza on the night of the verdict, according to Huffington Post. Rallies continued throughout the city Sunday and Monday. Chicagoans Prudence Brown and Danton Floyd held an artistic teach-in at the Reva and David Logan Center on July 17. Throughout the lecture various speakers discussed the injustices of the court system and the irony of the shooting. Dr. David Stovall, a professor at UIC, had some thought provoking words regarding the trial, “it’s a reminder on how black life is worthless in the eyes of the court.”
For some Chicagoans, a city marred by gun violence amongst youth of color, the verdict has been especially biting.
By: Ronald Reese, Chelsea Berry, Joseph Hardnet, Tim Smith
Filed under: Juvenile Justice
