Posted on 07/13/2013 9:04:05 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Officials and various candidates for office joined in the flood of outrage tonight following the not guilty verdict in the racially-charged trial of George Zimmerman for the killing of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.
Former Comptroller Bill Thompson, the mayoral race’s only black candidate, released and tweeted a terse, one-line statement slamming the decision, which was read tonight just before 10 p.m.
“Trayvon Martin was killed because he was black,” declared Mr. Thompson. “There was no justice done today in Florida.”
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn further slammed the acquittal as “a shocking insult to his family and everyone seeking justice for Trayvon.”
“Trayvon Martin was an innocent, unarmed young man with a full life ahead of him when he was tragically shot to death last February,” she said in a lengthy statement, which labeled the killing “senseless” and called for reforms to Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” laws. “But we must also put an end to a culture that presumes any young man of color – little more than a child – is looking to commit a crime, simply because he was walking down the street.”
Over Twitter, another mayoral candidate, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio called the decision “a slap in the face to justice,” adding, “Trayvon Martin’s death was a terrible tragedy.”
“Today’s decision is shocking and highlights the sad reality that the day of equal justice for Trayvon and millions of other young men of color has yet to arrive,” said City Comptroller and fellow Gracie Mansion contender John Liu. “And it reminds us that we must strengthen our efforts to further equality and justice for all.”
Members of the City Council also took to Twitter and Facebook to share their reactions to the jury’s decision.
“Not guilty verdict, really? I’m truly disgusted right now. #NoJustice,” tweeted Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito. “My heart is heavy.”
City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez was equally angry. “Sadly, a family in Florida will go to bed tonight still missing a son, still yearning for justice. RIP #Trayvon, America has failed you,” he wrote. “It is clear for all to see that racism is still alive & well across the country.”
Several candidate for other offices weighed in as well, including public advocate candidate Reshma Saujani, who said in a statement that “racism instead turned this trial into a gruesome display of character assassination.”
But the outpouring was not entirely one of outrage.
Republican City Councilman Eric Ulrich, for example, criticized the outrage.
“Zimmerman verdict is proof that innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt is still the cornerstone of the justice system,” he tweeted, adding that, “The rights of the accused cannot be compromised by the court of public opinion. Everyone is entitled to a fair trial.”
He further went after Mr. Thompson for his statement, saying he was “extremely disappointed with the amount of race baiting and political pandering on Twitter tonight” and that he would “expect this type of remark from [Rev. Al Sharpton] not from you.”
Ignorant comments by a bunch of scum. I watched that trial and the evidence to convict did not exist. These politicians are leeches not leaders.
Tough
Let’s face it these people are racists and they don’t know or care a damn thing about Trayvon or George.
I’m pretty sure the majority of Americans could care less what these buffoons in New Yawk think.
These sorry Sons of Bi7ch’s wanted their pound of flesh bad.
It’s amazing to see that these people watched the same trial we all did and still would have hanged Zimmerman for defending his life.
I don’t ever want to hear another black man call anyone a racist. These people are eaten up with the disease.
“F” New York
It is so disheartening to see how stupid people are. Thanks god for 6 jurors who followed the law.
Mr. Thompson, Mr. Martin was shot to death while he was assaulting another person. His race, quite literally, had nothing to do with that.
Sadly, it is his race and the race of the man he was assaulting that you are using in a shameless attempt to get votes.
Mr. Thompson, there was an African-American man murdered in your city this month. Do you remember HIS name? I bet you don't. There aren't any votes in it for you.
S. T. F. U. Mr. Thompson.
Seriously, this is real retarded, Sir.
Noo Yawk “lawmakers” should just STFU!!! about what goes on in Florida.
No, Zimmerman was supposed to be convicted simply because Martin was black.
These people are all projecting.
Spot on!
No, Zimmerman was supposed to be convicted simply because Martin was black.
These people are all projecting
.
Yes! They lost and they’re whining. Bunch of swine.
May the karma trip be breathtaking....
Democrats all, enough said !
They are correct, he was shot because he was black. Black and stupid.
Irate New Yorkers should stop coming to Florida every winter - that will teach Florida a lesson.
Of course, they do spend most of their time in Florida telling Floridians how stupid they are and lecturing “that’s not how we do it back home”.
Maybe they would be happier spending their winter vacations in California or Argentina where their political views are more in tune with the local government’s.
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