CRESTVIEW — More than 80 people gathered at Mt. Zion AME Church on Saturday to wrestle with questions of equality, justice and the future in the wake of George Zimmerman’s acquittal in the killing of Trayvon Martin last year.
The “We are Trayvon Martin” town hall meeting was co-hosted by the Okaloosa County Branch of the NAACP, Blacks in Government, the Okaloosa County Democratic Black Caucus and community leaders.
Sabu Williams, president of the local NAACP, guided the discussion with questions on the trial, its effects on the black community and visitors’ experiences.
Larry Boldin, one of a seven-member panel, said he wasn’t surprised at the not guilty verdict. He had hoped Zimmerman would be convicted of manslaughter.
Lawyers, jury instructions and laws can hold sway in court, he said.
“I do think there is some truth to the idea that not all life in America is valued the same,” Boldin said.
Martin had a right to defend himself from a person who was following him, said Decarlo Garcia. The only person who didn't have a right was Zimmerman, he said.
“I’ve never seen a victim chase after a suspect,” Garcia said.
Martin did what any person would do if someone was following him, Robert Hills said. The case should have been ironclad; they had an attacker at the scene, a weapon and someone killed, he said.
“When I hear America try to quantify that a person can be killed and no one is at fault, I have a problem with that,” Hills said.
Several visitors at the meeting said they have been racially profiled by law officers.
All African American parents discuss with their children how to deal with law enforcement, Williams said. He said he has told his sons to keep their hands visible and mouths closed.
“I can’t help you if you’re dead,” Williams said he remembers telling them.
Hills said the Martin’s death hasn’t changed what he has told his 9-year-old son about standing up to bullies or attackers. When his son questioned a proper response to an attacker, Hills told him to find a peaceful solution, and if there was none to stand his ground.
Many agreed that Florida’s “stand your ground” law was necessary but needed more clarity.
“Let people be responsible for your actions when you use this,” Lewis Jennings said.
However, Boldin feared the law would give someone an opportunity to provoke him into a fight and then use the law as a defense.
“If I’m not living, (that person) will probably walk,” Boldin said.
Many of the issues surrounding the case can be resolved at the legislative level, Jennings said.
“We don’t get out and vote,” Jennings said. “If we do vote, we don’t hold the people we vote for responsible.”
Williams promised to schedule a meeting with state Senate President Don Gaetz. He also called on visitors to sign a petition asking the U.S. Department of Justice to bring civil rights charges against Zimmerman.
He also asked the group to send support to the Dream Defenders. That group is protesting in the Florida Capitol until Gov. Rick Scott calls a special session to repeal the “stand your ground” law.
Williams also said they must stay passionate and involved with politics and the law.
“We make a lot of plans. We get angry and then we calm down.”