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'Hoodie' Rally' in Norwich shows anger over verdict isn't going away soon
theday.com ^ | August 12, 2013 | Kelly Catalfamo

Posted on 08/13/2013 3:20:10 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

Norwich - Approximately 50 people, many in hooded sweatshirts, gathered near a gazebo at the Howard T. Brown Park Sunday for an NAACP-sponsored "Hoodie Rally," which featured community leaders and local representatives speaking about racial profiling in the community and commemorating the upcoming anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington.

The speakers frequently referenced the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin and last month's decision by a Florida jury that George Zimmerman, who shot him, was not guilty because he acted in self-defense.

Martin was murdered "because he looked like a thug," said keynote speaker Pastor Devin Johnson of the Tabernacle of Deliverance and Praise. He said Martin would not have been shot if he were wearing a suit and tie.

Johnson, himself a former crack cocaine dealer who has been shot, urged community members to reach out to youth who seem to be part of a thug culture and help them.

"Why do we have to wait for this young man to be laid out like an animal, murdered in a parking lot, to do something?" he demanded, urging people to "stop praying and start working."

He also decried racial profiling based on appearance.

"I sold crack right here," he said, "but even when I changed my life I was racially profiled right here."

Isa Mujahid, a field organizer with the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, said "people need to know that racial profiling is against the law." Insisting that people should know their rights, he passed out pocket Constitutions and "bust cards," which detail a person's rights when stopped by the police, an immigration officer or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Still, said the next speaker, attorney Sarette Williams, "if you think the laws are enough to protect you, they're not." She said she believes too many unarmed brown and black men and boys were murdered by neighborhood watchmen, police officers and security guards.

Other speakers included State Sen. Cathy Osten, D-19th District, Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom, and a representative from the office of Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy.

Carolyn Harris of Groton, who watched the speakers from the back of a minivan, said she is a member of the Tabernacle of Deliverance and Praise and came largely to see her pastor speak. Sitting next to Johnson's daughter, she explained that she was "very proud" of the event and that all of the speakers were making a lot of sense to her.

Several speakers wrestled with the concept of justice in the wake of Zimmerman's "not guilty" verdict.

"We felt betrayed by our own justice system," said Ayzel Morales, describing the response of youth at the NAACP's 104th convention in Florida when they heard the verdict. Yet he cited the fact that NAACP has always been a nonviolent organization and tried to remember to put intellect before emotion.

"I always remember to take care of my business that way," said Morales.

Alice Cunningham, a member of the Tabernacle of Deliverance and Praise who watched the speakers from under a shady tree, said she believes justice is in God's hands now.

He's the only one who knows what truly happened that day and we will "all stand before him," said Cunningham.


TOPICS: US: Connecticut
KEYWORDS: zimmerman
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1 posted on 08/13/2013 3:20:10 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Tailgunner Joe
Martin was murdered "because he looked like a thug,"

No, he was watched because he acted like a burglar and shot because he was trying to kill Zimmerman.

2 posted on 08/13/2013 3:21:25 PM PDT by dirtboy
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To: All
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3 posted on 08/13/2013 3:21:42 PM PDT by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
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To: Tailgunner Joe

CHECK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM FOR STOLEN WOMEN'S JEWELRY!


4 posted on 08/13/2013 3:22:18 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (If Obama Had A City It Would Look Like Detroit)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

I could find 50 idiots anywhere...not suprising that they found 50 speciality idiots to wear sweatshirts in summer in Connecticut.


5 posted on 08/13/2013 3:23:42 PM PDT by Fedupwithit (Your opinion: It's all yours....don't expect me to listen to it, or even acknowledge it..)
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To: Tailgunner Joe
No, actually it does sort of mean that.

50 people isn't a very big crowd.

6 posted on 08/13/2013 3:24:59 PM PDT by x
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To: Tailgunner Joe

When is someone going to sue the NAACP for fomenting riots???


7 posted on 08/13/2013 3:26:40 PM PDT by ridesthemiles
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To: Tailgunner Joe

All of the Hoodies should get their Binkies and Blankies and go take a Nappie.


8 posted on 08/13/2013 3:26:57 PM PDT by joshua c (Please dont feed the liberals)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

How is a “hoodie rally” different from every other night on MLK Boulevard in Anytown, USA?


9 posted on 08/13/2013 3:31:46 PM PDT by Argus
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To: Tailgunner Joe
"I sold crack right here," he said, "but even when I changed my life I was racially profiled right here."

so he's saying the racial profiling was accurate. thanks for the confirmation

as for the Zimmerman lynching, the people should be called out for what they are... racists.

and yes, the administration is attempting to stir the pot. a pot i could care less about, unless they approach me or my family... as which point i will not hesitate to Zimmerman their ass

10 posted on 08/13/2013 3:33:40 PM PDT by sten (fighting tyranny never goes out of style)
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To: x

50s not even capacity at a KFC. So I taunt them for a third time.


11 posted on 08/13/2013 3:33:58 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: All armed conservatives.)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Another vote for violent criminals.


12 posted on 08/13/2013 3:35:07 PM PDT by <1/1,000,000th%
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Wow — all of 50 people and 20 of them were probably the organizers of the event.


13 posted on 08/13/2013 3:36:55 PM PDT by Uncle Chip
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To: Tailgunner Joe
If all you could manage to gather was 50 malcontents and whiners, the issue has ALREADY gone away.

Adios, TVTray-von. In a few years, no one will remember your name.

14 posted on 08/13/2013 3:38:12 PM PDT by IronJack (=)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

I’ve noticed K-Mart is running back-to-school commercials with school kids rapping about their Mommas buying them new hoodies on Lay-a-way.


15 posted on 08/13/2013 3:39:35 PM PDT by informavoracious (We're being "punished" with Stanley Ann's baby. Obamacare: shovel-ready healthcare.)
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To: Tailgunner Joe
'Hoodie' Rally' in Norwich shows anger over verdict isn't going away soon

Oh, it already very much has among everyone but a tiny minority of the perennially angry.

Contrary to the fervent wish of the writer.

And if they weren't angry about this they'd be angry about that. So who cares.

16 posted on 08/13/2013 3:44:08 PM PDT by skeeter
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To: dirtboy

Eggs Ackley ... so let the fools get violent, we have plenty of bullets to go around now. Thuggery will be met with termination of right to ‘assemble’.


17 posted on 08/13/2013 3:44:10 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Being deceived can be cured.)
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To: joshua c

You can’t say Nappy.


18 posted on 08/13/2013 3:45:54 PM PDT by Old Yeller (Goodbye America. Glad the majority of my years were spent during the good days.)
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To: informavoracious

I caught that, too! They had one ‘token white girl’ in there hi-hoppin’ away, too! ;)


19 posted on 08/13/2013 3:48:51 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Martin was not murdered, he was shot dead because he beat the excrement out of someone with a gun.


20 posted on 08/13/2013 3:50:01 PM PDT by svcw (Stand or die)
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