No other murder case in recent national history has ignited such passionately-charged debate about the issues of racial profiling and institutionalized racism via the legal process, and now that a 'Not Guilty' verdict has been rendered in the trial of African-American teen Trayvon Martin, the public outcry for justice is only just beginning.
From one end of the country to another, Blacks and Whites, activists, legal pundits, lawyers and even law enforcement officials are arguing that something has to change, and that there is something wrong with our legal system when no one is held accountable for the death of a child who never made it home after a walk to a local store to buy candy.
The case in the George Zimmerman trial is far from over, at least if thousands of petitioners, protestors and Civil Rights activists remain vigilant and 'Stand their Ground'.
Benjamin Crump, a Martin family attorney, after the verdict, said, "Trayvon Martin will forever remain in the annals of history next to Medger Evers and Emmet Till as symbols for the fight for equal justice for all."
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) took action immediately following the verdict, accepting the decision by the all-woman jury of six as a legal one, but not as a decision that will end the call for justice.
The NAACP has called for the Federal prosecution of former defendant George Zimmerman, collecting more than 1,000,000 signatures, and the outpouring of shock and disapproval on Social Media outlets and throughout communities across the country is only growing.
A petition posted by the NAACP, that ask for support to prosecute Zimmerman, states:
"The most fundamental of civil rights, the right to life, was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin. We ask that the Department of Justice file civil rights charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation. Please address the travesties of the tragic death of Trayvon Martin by acting today."
NACCP President Benjamin Todd Jealous said that while he was outraged by the verdict, he would stand by Trayvon's family. "We will pursue civil rights charges with the Department of Justice, we will continue to fight for the removal of Stand Your Ground laws in every state, and we will not rest until racial profiling in all its forms is outlawed."
Jealous also said, "Today, with the acquittal of George Zimmerman, it is time for the Department of Justice to act. The most fundamental of civil rights-- the right to life -- was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin. We ask that the Department of Justice file civil suits charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation."
According to Attorney General Eric Holder, "The Department of Justice has closely monitored the State of Florida's prosecution of the case against George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin murder since it began," Holder said. There is also some talk about the Justice Department charging Zimmerman with a Hate Crime, although the verdict is still out with that decision.
And President Obama, who said that if he had a son, he would look like Martin, commented, "I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son. And as we do, we should ask ourselves if we're doing all we can do to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities."
But remaining calm and passionate in regards to political and social goals are not mutually exclusive. If anything, this case is demanding change in regards to racial profiling and the ever controversial Stand Your Ground law allowed in some states, with historical implications that will far outweigh any earlier predictions.
After the verdict, the President released this statement, "The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for one community, but for America. I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken."
While the defense attempted to stay clear of race as "playing" any part of the case, prosecutors argued that Martin was profiled from the start when Zimmerman, a Neighborhood Watch Captain with a concealed weapon, pursued the unarmed teen after referring to him with expletives on a 911 Call, pursued, and killed him "for no reason" while Martin was on a simple errand to buy a pack of candy and a drink.
After the verdict, Attorney Mark O'Mara, who delivered a three-hour closing statement for Zimmerman, said, "George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything except firing the gun in self defense." O'Mara also stated in many media interviews that the case had nothing at all do with race, but only with having to do with Zimmerman being afraid for his life after being attacked by Martin.
The case has ignited an extremely heated, nation-wide reaction on the issues of civil rights, racial profiling and the controversial Stand Your Ground Law from the beginning, and now that Zimmerman is a free man, the reaction is at boiling point level.
While this case began as one that was highlighted with heated racial divide from the start, there is no question that the verdict has sparked actions calling for real change throughout the country.
But will this heated reaction fizzle and fade with time? Or will this tragedy and the Zimmerman verdict result in real change?