Rally planned in KC to protest Fla. teen's killing

Monday, March 26, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A rally is planned in Kansas City to protest the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager by a neighborhood watch captain in Florida.

The Kansas City Star reported that the event will start at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the J.C. Nichols Fountain on the Country Club Plaza. Demonstrators are being asked to don hoodies because that's what 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was wearing when he was shot Feb. 26 in the Florida town of Sanford.

Neighborhood crime-watch captain George Zimmerman has claimed self-defense and has not been charged in the shooting. State and federal authorities are investigating.

The case has sparked national anger and protests. President Barack Obama weighed in Friday, calling the shooting a tragedy and saying, "When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids."

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sickandtired 1 year, 1 month ago

seems kinda strange that everybody wants to hang the man before we find out the evidence. I guess we can throw out innocent until proven guilty and just send everybody to the electric chair. Now I am not saying he is innocent but I want to see the evidence before I decide. Then if he is truely guilty then hang him.

spelchek 1 year, 1 month ago

Don't you remember the Duke Lacrosse incident? The truth will come out AFTER lives have been ruined.

xhepera 1 year, 1 month ago

False equivalency. The Duke incident is not even remotely like this one.

spelchek 1 year, 1 month ago

A black victim accusing a non-black perpetrator of an alleged crime before a trial can reveal the truth = equivalency

xhepera 1 year, 1 month ago

I don't think that the victim is accusing anyone of anything at this point. He's dead. And in case you were not aware, there are people of all colors who are clamoring for justice regarding this incident.

Bigotry that automatically perceives Zimmerman as innocent is no better than bigotry that automatically perceives him as guilty.

spelchek 1 year, 1 month ago

"Bigotry that automatically perceives Zimmerman as innocent is no better than bigotry that automatically perceives him as guilty." -- Why is it bigotry? Why is race an issue? If the story failed to report the race then what? Is it still a tragedy? Of course it is. The race bait is powerful stuff.

"I don't think that the victim is accusing anyone of anything at this point. He's dead." -- Isn't Trayvon's family victims? If nobody is accusing then why does the NBPP have a bounty out for Zimmerman?

Anyone killed in gun violence is a tragedy. This story is another distraction for Mr. Obama now that women's contraceptive rights has dimmed down. This young man was shot a month ago and it is a shame the media is using him and his family for Mr. Obama's slight of hand. Do you really think any of these reporters care? Where's Cindy Sheehan? A real shame.

spelchek 1 year, 1 month ago

Yes, Hispanic's lives cannot be ruined, everyone knows that.

xhepera 1 year, 1 month ago

Your prejudice and intellectual dishonesty are showing. ;-) Although I'm sure you could give a _ _ .

spelchek 1 year, 1 month ago

Prejudice? Coming from someone who doesn't recognize Hispanic's as a minority? Are you suggesting blacks have racial precedence over Hispanic's? I haven't sided with anyone because I don't know the facts in the case. Unlike some of you who bite down hard on the race bait without investigating what's on the hook first. You should know better to beat the horse know as "race card", it's been down and abused for a long time now. Ask Jesse and Al, they make a living off of beating that horse.

xhepera 1 year, 1 month ago

This story would likely not have gotten the play that it has had the police department in Sanford did their jobs properly. That is what is at issue, first and foremost. I agree that those wanting to hang the guy now are out of line. But I think it reasonable that this be investigated and that a trial proceed if it's warranted, not swept under the rug as Sanford PD apparently attempted to do. Only that will determine this man's guilt or innocence.

spelchek 1 year, 1 month ago

Twitter message from Trayvon's brother suggests he was suspended from school for assaulting a bus driver

"yu ain't tell me yu swung on a bus driver."— Stephen Martin, twitter message to his brother Travyon, February 21, 2012

xhepera 1 year, 1 month ago

What has that to do with his murder? Zimmerman was arrested for assaulting a police officer and had two instances in which he was accused of domestic violence by his ex-fiance, resulting in restraining orders.

Again, what does either issue have to do with the facts of what happened that night? Guilt or innocence of either party will not be decided by anything other than the facts of that night.

spelchek 1 year, 1 month ago

"Zimmerman was arrested for assaulting a police officer and had two instances in which he was accused of domestic violence by his ex-fiance, resulting in restraining orders." -- This is impossible. You cannot assault a police officer and legally own a gun (unless he was never convicted). If he truly has a violent past, it is a miracle he was not arrested for this incident. You are correct though, facts will shed light on this case possibly showing Zimmerman as the victim. If this is the case, you will not see a single apology out of anyone using this tragedy as a media platform to stay relevant. Perhaps Zimmerman is guilty? And if he is, let justice be served.

Liberte 1 year, 1 month ago

Someone broke into my account and posted a hideous and slanderous accusation. I apologize deeply to the person that had me flagged.

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