George Zimmerman, the man accused of killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in February 2012, was found not guilty in a Florida court today (July 13). The jury of six women deliberated for 16 hours and 20 minutes before arriving at their verdict. Zimmerman was also found not guilty of the lesser offense of manslaughter, which the jury also weighed.
The verdict is the result of a controversial case that has polarized the nation and forced discussions of race, class, and prejudice against minorities for the last year and a half. After the verdict was delivered, several artists, including Ciara, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna, took to twitter to express their outraged opinions and pleas for peace.
And our taxes paid for that trial. We just paid to see a murderer walk free after killing an innocent unarmed little boy. #GodBlessAmerica
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 14, 2013
This is the saddest news ever!!! #whatsjustice #pray4theMartinFamily
— Rihanna (@rihanna) July 14, 2013
Whenever Some One Has Done Wrong, They Will Have To Face It. No Matter What. God Will Handle It. For There Is No Powere Greater Than His.
— Ciara (@ciara) July 14, 2013
I know many people are very upset about the verdict, but we must remain peaceful. No matter what, remain peaceful.
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) July 14, 2013
& that is America…. #NoJusticeForOurSons!
— Ghostface Killah (@GhostfaceKillah) July 14, 2013
Justice will be served, no one escapes justice.
— Cheryl ‘Salt’ James (@DaOnlySalt) July 14, 2013
Hug your babies extra tight tonight everyone. -Ledisi #prayerstothemartinfamily http://t.co/Qdl1DkKDUY
— ledisi (@ledisi) July 14, 2013
And I gotta go do a gig….I really wanna sing negro spirituals. I feel the blues all in my body.
— lalah hathaway (@lalahhathaway) July 14, 2013
My heart hurts
— John Legend (@johnlegend) July 14, 2013
Wildin is fruitless. Alternatives welcome, needed, encouraged, supported!!!!! Praise God.
— Jill Scott (@missjillscott) July 14, 2013
Bullshit!
— Chris Brown (@chrisbrown) July 14, 2013
I’m leaving the studio and going to be with my son! Travyon’s dad won’t have that opportunity again. That’s wrong. No justice. #TTLO
— Rico Love (@IamRicoLove) July 14, 2013
Fear Kills. Love Heals. http://t.co/DAqZPPZ7IB @BorisKodjoe @ChakaKhan #TrayvonMartin
— Kelly Price (@KellyPrice4Real) July 14, 2013
by Taboola
