Monday, July 15, 2013

Cops clear Union Square of demonstrators enraged over George Zimmerman verdict

Demonstrators react to the verdict outside Seminole County Court where George Zimmerman was found not guilty on second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in Sanford, Florida July 13, 2013. A Florida jury on Saturday found George Zimmerman not guilty in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, in a case that sparked a national debate on race and guns. REUTERS/Joe Skipper  (UNITED STATES - Tags: CRIME LAW CIVIL UNREST)

JOE SKIPPER/REUTERS

Demonstrators outside the Seminole County Courthouse in Sanford, Fla. react to George Zimmerman being found not guilty in shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

Police barricaded a section of Union Square park early Sunday, clearing nearly 50 demonstrators who had gathered after George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the February 2012 deadly shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

The peaceful rally began around midnight, organizers said. Cops moved them out about 2 a.m.

RELATED: GEORGE ZIMMERMAN FOUND NOT GUILTY

The protesters lit candles in paper cups over signs that read "Emmett Till 1955. Trayvon Martin 2013" and "Tonight a murderer walks free because of racism."

The demonstrators said they were angry at what they described as a miscarriage of justice Saturday night in the Florida courthouse, where a six-woman jury acquitted Zimmerman of second-degree murder charges and a lesser charge of manslaughter for the Feb. 26, 2012, shooting that killed the unarmed Martin.

RELATED: ZIMMERMAN VERDICT FAIR IF UNSATISFYING

"It's hard to comprehend what I saw on the television screen tonight ... If (Zimmerman's) able to get off this easily, what example does this set for people like him?" said Aaron Black, 39, a consultant from the Bronx. "I'm shocked. He should be doing jail time. I am fuming right now."

Organizers said they hoped the impromptu showing, word of which spread through social media, would display the public's unrest with Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law.

PHOTOS: TRAYVON MARTIN'S DEATH SPARKS NATIONAL OUTRAGE

"People are upset, they're angry because they felt that Trayvon deserved justice. His parents, Tracy and Sybrina, deserve justice," said Thenjiwe M., 26. "The state of Florida told not just black people, but everybody, that Trayvon's life didn't matter. That the lives of other young black people in similar situations don't matter."

The protestors vacated the park peacefully but said they would return in stronger numbers at 6 p.m. Sunday to resume their rally.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/nydnrss/new-york/~3/34tbnokpZOs/story01.htm

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