Petition: to continue George Zimmerman investigation

Saturday night, a Florida jury acquitted George Zimmerman, a man who killed an unarmed teenager in cold blood. While we believe in the rule of law and while the jury has spoken, the implications of the acquittal are profound. It is disappointing that a racially profiled, unarmed African-American young man can be shot dead with no consequences for the perpetrator.

Urge Attorney General Eric Holder and the U.S. Justice Department to continue their investigation.

This case reminds us that the path to racial justice is still a long one, and that our legal and moral systems do not always mesh. The proceedings in the Sanford, Fla., courtroom may well have dealt with the criminal aspects of the case, as defined by Florida law, but we will continue to deal with the moral ones.

Sign the petition. George Zimmerman must face the consequences of his actions.

The disposition of this case is the antithesis of what we teach our children in school—that the law protects innocent victims, and that no one has the right to take the law into his or her own hands. Everyone’s child matters.

As the AFT pledged in a resolution passed at our 2012 convention, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fight for laws, policies and practices that will prohibit racial profiling at the federal, state and local levels.

We pray for the strength of Trayvon’s parents and loved ones in this difficult time. Please take a moment to sign the petition.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT President

Read our statement on the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin here.