[tanknetter]

Here’s a question: is documented racism (or behavior based on race) a prerequisite for a Civil Rights prosecution? It is for a hate crime, but that’s not what I’m talking about.

There was some talk/discussion out there about the possibility that Holder will charge Zimmerman based on violating Martin’s freedom of movement Civil Right. That may not require any sort of evidence that Zimmerman did so based on racism or racial profiling ...

In the absence of knowing more, I think a better option think of here is that violations of Civil Rights can only occur by the government and its agents. Zimmerman was a Neighborhood Watch volunteer. That’s a MASSIVE stretch to get to him on. One that would have a complete chilling effect on ALL neighborhood watch organizations, nationwide.

[Pontiac]

There was some talk/discussion out there about the possibility that Holder will charge Zimmerman based on violating Martin’s freedom of movement Civil Right

I can’t imagine how they could prove such a case or even bring it to trial.

It would require evidence that Zimmerman prevented Martin from moving freely on the street before he killed Martin. It has already been established that there are no witnesses to the start of the confrontation.

The only possible civil rights action against Zimmerman is wrongful death; that Zimmerman did not have just and lawful cause to take Martin’s life. That train has left the station. The State of Florida pretty much exhausted that line of evidence.

Of course if you are running a show trial valid evidence is a take it or leave it proposition.

[Political Junkie Too]

The only other civil rights violation would be that Zimmerman abused an authority and acted under color of authority to deny Martin his rights. That's what they used on the cops who beat Rodney King.

The problem is that Zimmerman is a common citizen, and has no "authority" from which to deny Martin his rights.

So it's either a hate crime or nothing, from a federal standpoint.

-PJ