A Florida jury on Saturday found 29-year-old George Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin last February in Sanford, Fla. He was also acquitted of a lesser charge of manslaughter.
Rallies and protests have sprung up in cities across the U.S., from Florida to California to New York, and a handful of celebrities -- including Beyonce -- have expressed support for Martin's family. A petition to the Justice Department to open up a civil rights case against Zimmerman also appeared overnight.
After yesterday's initial reactions on Twitter, this morning's social media discussion shows no signs of slowing down. Aside from a few extreme hashtags, like #IfIEverSeeZimmerman, the majority of users conveyed disappointment in the ruling:
Still saddened by yesterday's disgusting verdict. Sad but sadly not surprised. #JusticeForTrayvon— Rob Cooper (@RobCooperX) July 14, 2013
No one is happy #TrayvonMartin is gone. the black community needs to look inward, find out why young men are being lost at an alarming rate!— Rebecca W (@becca51178) July 14, 2013
My thoughts all day have been with Trayvon Martin's family and close ones. Words still fail me.— Arcade Fire tube (@ArcadeFiretube) July 14, 2013
Had a gun-toting Trayvon Martin stalked an unarmed George Zimmerman, and then shot him to death... DO I EVEN NEED TO COMPLETE THIS SENTENCE?— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 14, 2013
If George #Zimmerman had not had a gun, he'd have never got out of his car that night, and Trayvon Martin would still be alive.— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 14, 2013
Can't find the words to talk about the Zimmerman verdict. Listening to Sam Cooke & trying to believe A Change Is Gonna Come. #TrayvonMartin— libba bray (@libbabray) July 14, 2013
Most of us never met Trayvon Martin but our generation won't let him be forgotten. We need less gun violence in the world NOW. #HoodiesUp— Ben Lyons (@iamBenLyons) July 14, 2013
I'm literally getting re-heated every time ANYONE tries to defend Zimmerman. This COULD HAVE BEEN a land mark case & set a precedent.— Top Notch Liberal (@ClassyDemGirl) July 14, 2013
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr" #JusticeForTrayvon #J4TM— Sheila (@SheilaOlaiz) July 14, 2013
Some showed support for Zimmerman, arguing the outcome was strictly the result of Florida law:
Hallelujah!— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) July 14, 2013
@TellMeMoreNPR Jury followed the law. Sadly - some will race bait.— Wilhelm II (@knightofgood) July 14, 2013
Ta-Nehisi Coates: 'Everything that is immoral is not illegal—nor should it be' http://t.co/VYL25znxXM— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) July 14, 2013
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