What Is Your Reaction to the Trayvon Martin Case?
 

The fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, 17, in Florida has spurred a national response that is taking numerous forms, including rallies in multiple cities and active discussion on social media. What do you know about the case? What is your personal response? What questions and issues does it raise for you?

Students: I want to know what are your feelings and thoughts about the Trayvon Martin case. Are you following the story and its fallout? Are you talking about it at school, at home or on Facebook or other social media? What questions do you have about the story? What are the main issues it raises for you — about race, justice, the law and law enforcement, gun violence and more?

Some comments..........

It is not the role of the police to determine if Zimmerman was justified to kill Trayvon Martin. That is up to the courts. NOT arresting Zimmerman in the wake of Martin’s death is the travesty. Consider these facts:

1. Zimmerman was not a cop.
2. Zimmerman disobeyed the police in following Martin.
3. Zimmerman’s pursuit of Martin is what led to the confrontation, which led to Zimmerman killing Martin.

It is incredible for anyone to believe that Martin – who has no police record – after he was clearly concerned about Zimmerman following him (per his phone conversation with his girlfriend), turned around and started following Zimmerman!
— Samir
 

It is shocking that a minor can be killed in America and no trial held to determine the guilt of the killer. Surely it is not the role of the police to decide someone’s innocence in a killing, that is what the courts are for. For the police to act as the judge seems to be overstepping their purpose.
A chiid is killed, a trial should be held to determine the facts and establish whether it was murder.
— Aaron