Posted on 07/14/2013 3:40:15 PM PDT by Libloather
President Obama on Sunday called the death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin a tragedy and urged calm one day after shooter George Zimmerman was acquitted, saying that American was a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken.
The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America, said Obama in a statement.
I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher, he continued. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken. I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son.
Obama urged Americans to ask ourselves if were doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities.
The verdict to acquit Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer who shot Martin, an unarmed black teenager, during an altercation, led to protests nationwide and debate over the nations gun laws and racial profiling.
The jurys decision though split lawmakers, with many Democrats urging the Justice Department to investigate the evidence and bring federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman.
This isnt over with, vowed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on NBCs Meet the Press.
The Justice Department said Sunday that it was reviewing the case closely, but did not commit to pressing charges.
Experienced federal prosecutors will determine whether the evidence reveals a prosecutable violation of any of the limited federal criminal civil rights statutes within our jurisdiction, and whether federal prosecution is appropriate in accordance with the Department's policy governing successive federal prosecution following a state trial, said DOJ spokeswoman Dena Iverson.
Iverson noted that the department first looked into the case last year and said the DOJ would be joined by the FBI and U.S. attorneys from Florida in reviewing the evidence and state trial.
Some, though, argued that that the case should be closed and criticized Obama, whom they accused of politicizing the killing ahead of the trial.
Obama had spoken about the controversy last year, telling reporters that if he had a son hed look like Trayvon.
Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) on Sunday said Zimmerman, who said he acted in self-defense, should never have been prosecuted.
The evidence didnt support prosecution, and the Justice Department engaged in this, the president engaged in this and turned it into a political issue that should have been handled exclusively with law-and-order, he said.
Obama made no indication whether he would welcome federal criminal charges against Zimmerman, but used the case to discuss the broader issue of gun violence, which he has made an administration priority since the mass shooting last December at Sandy Hook elementary school.
We should ask ourselves if were doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis, Obama said. We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this.
As citizens, thats a job for all of us. Thats the way to honor Trayvon Martin.
Following Sandy Hook, which left 20 children and six adults dead, Obama announced a series of executive actions to tackle the problem. But the presidents main gun control priorities, including universal background checks for firearm sales and bans on assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines, require congressional action.
A flurry of bills introduced in the wake of the school shooting have stalled in the face of opposition from gun-rights advocacy groups and many members of Congress, who express concern about infringing on Second Amendment rights.
Complete quote: “The jury has spoken. FORE!!!!”
ROTFLOL.
“Meanwhile, because I am a race-divider who got elected on White guilt, a have instructed the justice department to bring a civil rights suit against Zimmerman.”
We are a nation of self defense.
The community organizer speaks!
Translation: I have to do my dirty work undercover.
Notice he said A JURY..not THE JURY..because he wants the DOJ to pursue this case
Yeah Barack, I raised my kids not to be thugs. That their rights ended at another persons nose and that they do not have to endure more than one fist to the face by any thug before using the force necessary to end the beat down by the local thug. Whether he might look like your might have been son or not.
.
Rather a jury sent a message to Obama that racism and lawlessness will not be tolerated.
The race baiters are not done with this one yet...
I’m just surprised he didn’t say, “The jury acted stupidly.”
So if “The jury has spoken” then why are you sicking your DOJ (as he no longer represents all of America) on Zimmerman and why do you have Sicko Reid out there telling your base it is not over.........
ask ourselves if were doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities.
http://www.johnspeedie.com/healy/horse.wav
The Ineligible Won speaks of laws?
I wonder who wrote this for him.
Haven't heard anything from La Raza in awhile...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.