Why zimmerman will walk

If Zimmerman is acquitted, it's not unlikely that protests around the country will erupt once more — over racial profiling, Florida's " Stand Your Ground " law, and a host of other frustrations. Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, however, hopes that the trial, whatever the verdict, will be something to rally around. Skip to header Skip to main content Skip to footer Feature. Brooklyn neighborhood surprises World War II veteran with tokens of appreciation. Federal appeals court temporarily blocks release of Trump White House records.

Teacher shortages are making room for subs. Most Popular. Adorable rare leopard cub makes her debut at Santa Barbara Zoo. I think we can all agree that Black Zimmerman would have been handcuffed on the spot and thrown into jail, never to see the light of day until he had served his plea-bargained sentence foisted upon him by some lackluster, hack public defender.

Florida officials and media pundits have voiced concern that a not-guilty verdict could lead to explosive levels of anger, and they may be right. In Sanford, police from the very department that dragged its feet in the investigation and arrest of Zimmerman have turned to Black clergy to appeal for calm.

It's impossible to predict how the jury will deal with the case--but it's clear that the defense team's lies and slanders and the prosecutions missteps and missed opportunities have opened the possibility that Zimmerman will go free. Anyone who cares about challenging racial profiling and vigilante justice needs to be prepared to take a stand in response to the Zimmerman trial verdict--to tell the truth about what happened to Trayvon Martin, and to rekindle the determination of the movement that arose to demand justice for him last year.

Police are refusing to call an assault on three students of color racially motivated, leading to a campus debate at Syracuse University. Scandals that could install a Republican as governor of Virginia have led some Democrats to waffle on what should be a principle. How do we make sure that issues related to fighting racism are brought to the center of all the struggles that we are a part of today? The tirade by a racist white student at Columbia University is part of a wider campus climate of inaction in the face of bigotry.

The winning strike by Chicago teachers can be an opening wedge against corporate school "reform"--and a fighting example for other unions. The predictions in the UN report on climate change are dire and demand drastic change.

A rank-and-file educators group in Arizona led a statewide strike within months of forming. What can we learn from their success?

Union members are mobilizing to protest the Janus case before the U. Supreme Court. SW asked three of our contributors about the stakes for labor. Material on this Web site is licensed by SocialistWorker. Readers are welcome to share and use material belonging to this site for non-commercial purposes, as long as they are attributed to the author and SocialistWorker. X Close.

Search Search. Eric Ruder. July 12, Eric Ruder analyzes the twists and turns of the Zimmerman trial as it nears an end. Further reading Maria Norris. Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Alexis Carter, a military prosecutor, testifies during the trial on July 3.

Carter taught a criminal litigation class that Zimmerman completed, and testified that the class included extensive coverage of Florida's self-defense laws. Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Mark Osterman, a U. Air Marshal and friend of Zimmerman's who wrote a book about the case, testifies on Tuesday, July 2.

He recounted the story of the shooting that Zimmerman told him and testified that when he took Zimmerman home from the police station after the shooting, Zimmerman wasn't acting like himself. Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda, on July 2, demonstrates a possible scenario while questioning state witness Chris Serino, a Sanford police officer. Mora lived in Zimmerman's neighborhood at the time of the shooting.

Lauer called on the night of the shooting. She appeared to get frustrated several times during the cross-examination, including one time when West suggested they could break until the morning so she'd have more time to review the deposition transcript.

Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — The evidence letter that Jeantel says she wrote with a friend for Sybrina Fulton, Martin's mother, is displayed during the trial on June When the defense asked Jeantel to read the letter, she said she couldn't read cursive. She asked a friend to write the letter for her, she said. Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Jeantel testifies on Wednesday, June She was the last person to speak with Martin on the phone.

Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Zimmerman walks past Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton, left, and Tracy Martin, second from left, as he enters the courtroom after lunch recess on June Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Diana Smith of the Sanford Police Department on Tuesday, June 25, shows the jury a bag of Skittles that was collected as evidence at the crime scene.

Martin was said to be carrying the bag of candy and a soft drink at the time of his death. Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Assistant state attorneys John Guy, left, and Richard Mantei hold up Martin's sweatshirt as evidence during Zimmerman's trial on June After Martin's death, protesters started wearing hoodies in solidarity against racial profiling.

Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — During the trial on June 25, crime scene technician Diana Smith shows the jury a gun that was collected as evidence. Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Zimmerman laughs with defense attorney Don West during his trial on June Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Selene Bahadoor enters the courtroom to take the witness stand on June She was the first eyewitness to testify and said the shooting occured right behind her home.

Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Seminole County dispatcher Sean Noffke testifies on Monday, June 24, about his conversation with Zimmerman on a non-emergency line the night of the shooting. Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — A transcript of Zimmerman's police call on the night of the shooting is projected during opening arguments on June Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Martin's father, Tracy Martin, cries on June 24 as he listens to the description of his son's death.

Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Prosecutor John Guy gestures during his opening arguments on June His first words to the six-woman jury may have raised a few eyebrows. Those were his words, not mine. Since they are all on the witness list, the judge ruled they cannot be present in the courtroom until after they testify.

Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Defense attorney Don West displays a photo of Zimmerman from the night of the shooting during his opening arguments on June He opened his statements with a knock-knock joke but failed to win a laugh.

Who's there? George Zimmerman. George Zimmerman who? Good, you're on the jury," he said. Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — A video entered as evidence is displayed on June It shows Martin, right, at a 7-Eleven on the night of his shooting.

Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — From left, Martin's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, and Benjamin Crump, the family's legal counsel, make a brief statement to the media before jurors heard opening statements on June Key moments in the Zimmerman trial — Zimmerman waits for the start of his trial on June Defense: Prosecution was 'disgraceful' Photos: Photos: Reaction to Zimmerman verdict. A jury in Florida acquitted Zimmerman of all charges related to the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

View photos of key moments from the trial. The Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network organized the "'Justice for Trayvon' city vigil" which called supporters to gather in front of federal buildings around the country on July 20, as a continued protest against the George Zimmerman verdict. Reaction to Zimmerman verdict — The Rev. Reaction to Zimmerman verdict — Thousands of people gathered outside the Richard B.