2013/07/14 — NAACP National Board of Directors Chair Roslyn Brock urged youth at the 104^th NAACP National Convention to keep level heads in the aftermath of the tragic non-guilty verdict of George Zimmerman.

Zimmerman, who approached, shot, and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin last year, as the youth walked alone in a gated neighborhood, celebrated his release July 13.  Zimmerman’s brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr., tweeted his jubilance that the jury found his sibling not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter, saying: “Today … I’m proud to be an American.”

Martin’s parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, were devastated, as were a room full of NAACP youth members, apparently.  Some youth openly wondered if an American jury was capable of convicting a murderer who targeted blacks.  Some admitted they felt betrayed by their country.

NAACP President and CEO Todd Jealous remained furious, but convinced of the NAACP’s work ahead.

“I know I am not alone in my outrage, anger, and heartbreak over this decision. When a teenager’s life is taken in cold blood, and there is no accountability for the man who killed him, nothing seems right in the world, but we cannot let these emotions alone rule,” Jealous stated.  “In these most challenging of times, we are called to act. There is work left to be done to achieve justice for Trayvon. The Department of Justice can still address the violation of Trayvon’s most fundamental civil right — the right to life, and we are urging them to do so.”

On the day of the jury decision, the NAACP sent out a petition seeking 65,000 signatures, calling on the Department of Justice to bring criminal civil rights charges against Mr. Zimmerman.  The petition gathered immediate attention from recipients. Jackson resident Timeka Cheeks, who’s attending the Convention, said she had responded to the petition with tears still in her eyes after hearing the verdict.

“I was No. 5041 on that petition,” Cheeks said.

Jealous said, “The justice system still has more cards in play when it comes to Mr. Zimmerman.”

“This is not over,” said Jealous.  “Not by a long shot.”

Jealous added that not only was the organization asking the Department of Justice to re-start its investigation against Mr. Zimmerman—which was put on hold once he was charged for murder by the state of Florida—but to also consider whether or not there should be a pattern of practice investigation launched against the Sanford Police Department.

Jealous pointed out earlier that Zimmerman was arrested and charged because the organization continued to press for an investigation after police initially released Zimmerman, and that NAACP scrutiny pushed the Sanford Police Chief from his post after he overruled his detectives and blocked Zimmerman’s arrest.

Brock boasted that the verdict no doubt incensed youth across America to more critically view their government.

“There was nobody in the courtroom in Sanford who could speak for Trayvon Martin, but I bet I’ve got a room full of young men and women who are fired up and ready to go to speak on behalf of Trayvon Martin,” Brock said.  “Do not be moved from this issue.”

Brock quickly added, however, that everyone should be careful not to jump to conclusions about their fellow man and urged them to make no decisions based on knee-jerk reaction, particularly after the arrival of one NAACP employee during the meeting sparked a rash of suspicious tweets among the youth.

“We had an NAACP employee among us, from Mississippi, and because he didn’t look like you I’ve had 16 tweets about his looks, trying to see what was going on. I even looked up to see what was happening.  Everybody is on high alert and there is high tension,” Brock said.  “Don’t make assumptions when you’re not sure about the issues.  Be vigilant, be mindful, but don’t make assumptions, because that’s what happened with Mr. Zimmerman, who never knew Trayvon Martin, and never knew why he was there.”

SIGN THE PETITION at NAACP.org

Or

SIGN THE PETITION at MoveOn.org

Source: NAACP Staff