CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Branch of the NAACP will host a town hall meeting Saturday to discuss the outcome of George Zimmerman’s murder trial and its effect on the community.
Zimmerman was cleared last Saturday of all charges in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford in February 2012.
The incident, trial and verdict have sparked fierce debate about numerous issues, such as racial equality and Florida’s “stand your ground” law.
The “We are Trayvon Martin” town hall meeting will be at 4 p.m. at Mt. Zion AME Church at 502 McDonald St. in Crestview.
Many people were affected by the verdict, whether they believed the decision was fair or not, and want a place to talk, said Sabu Williams, president of the local NAACP.
“One way of keeping tensions down is to let people express themselves,” Williams said.
A panel of community leaders, ministers and youths will be at the meeting.
Youths have been especially affected, Williams said. Parents always have discussed standing up to bullies and attackers, but that conversation may have to change, he said.
“We just thought to let their feelings be known and heard as well,” Williams said.
The meeting’s goal is not to “retry” Zimmerman, but to look at the laws and ensure they aren’t promoting violence by allowing criminals to escape punishment, he said.
Williams said he hopes visitors understand the need to get involved not only on one issue, but any that affect the community.
“You need to get re-inspired,” Williams said. “You can’t wait for some major thing to happen and then get concerned.”
WANT TO ATTEND? The “We Are Trayvon Martin” town hall meeting will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Zion AME Church at 502 McDonald St. in Crestview.