Petitions Demanding Civil Rights Case Against George Zimmerman Draw Massive Support, 325,000 sign

Last edited Tue Jul 16, 2013, 07:20 AM - Edit history (2)

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In a MoveOn petition drafted by NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous and approaching 250,000 signatures as of Monday morning, Obama was asked to direct the Department of Justice to get involved in light of Zimmerman's acquittal.

"Our members, like so many Americans, are outraged at the verdict. Justice has not been served. The facts are clear: a seventeen year old boy is dead because George Zimmerman shot him," Jealous said in a statement. "This is a sad day for our country and our justice system. What we saw take place in Florida vividly illustrates the broader dysfunction in our criminal justice system, where people of color still don't have access to equal treatment under the law. It is also highlighted the deadly problem with laws like 'Stand Your Ground,' that have been advanced by the NRA and others, that encourage vigilantes."

By Monday afternoon, more than 325,000 had signed the petition, which argues that Zimmerman should face a Justice Department suit for his "egregious violation" of Martin's "right to life."

Two similar petitions were posted to the White House's "We the People" online petition platform. One form, which had garnered more than 13,000 signatures as of Monday morning, called for quick action:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/15/petitions-george-zimmerman_n_3598312.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

Petition
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/open-a-civil-rights-case?source=mo&id=

Updated
There are currently 436,569 signatures