Obama Speaks Out on Zimmerman Trial: ‘Trayvon Martin Could Have Been Me’
President Obama spoke to the African American perspective on the George Zimmerman trial at a press conference today.
Obama made a direct connection between himself and Trayvon; asserting that he has been profiled in the past, and that could have met the same fate as Martin.
The POTUS also asserted that the outcome of the Zimmerman trial may have been different if Trayvon was white, and called for a review of “Stand Your Ground” laws.
“The African-American community is looking at this through a set of experiences and history that doesn’t go away,” he said.
Obama said that, before he was elected to the Senate, he was also profiled in department stores and viewed suspiciously on the street.
The president also nodded to the Justice Department investigation to see whether it makes sense to bring federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman. But he also urged state and local officials to review their own procedures to see how to improve their law enforcement practices.
He also called for a review of so-called “Stand Your Ground” laws, a central issue in the confrontation between Zimmerman and Martin.
The President also
Thoughts on President Obama’s remarks?
Are you satisfied with the way he has addressed the Trayvon Martin tragedy?
Sound off below!