Super Civil Thread on Florida v. Zimmerman

Parent Cafe
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<p>If there are any protests after verdict, most everyone is hoping the protests are peaceful. Sanford is part of the Orlando metro area in central Florida. Trayvon Martin’s family is from Miami Gardens which is just below the Broward-Dade county line in south Florida. Of course the trial is being followed closely all through Florida, the U.S., and worldwide.</p>

<p>[UPDATED</a> - RAISE YOUR VOICE, NOT YOUR HANDS](<a href=“http://www.sheriff.org/posts/post.cfm?id=bf1326e0-d238-0577-7446-a3a4ca5438d3]UPDATED”>http://www.sheriff.org/posts/post.cfm?id=bf1326e0-d238-0577-7446-a3a4ca5438d3)</p>

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<p>Have you ever been followed, Jono? I have. I told myself that the person following me was not being “aggressive” even though the signs were there. I was young and naive. He attacked me. It was awful. But according to your logic, if I had found the strength to fight back against the threat of this guy coming at me, he would have had the right to shoot me?</p>

<p>As I said in the thread that got closed, it seems like it’s open season on innocent people and those who are in the wrong place at the wrong time.</p>

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<p>Sally the difference is that there’s no evidence that Zimmerman attacked Martin. If there was evidence beyond a reasonable doubt of that I’d be the first to call for him to be locked up. I’m also a young male, I also played linebacker, I’m not saying I can be in Martin’s mind that night, but I don’t think a typical 17 year old 6’ linebacker is terrified when followed by a 30 something 5’8’’ man.</p>

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<p>I think that a person who is being obviously and deliberate followed through the night by ANYONE is going to be at least a little scared.</p>

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<p>But you are missing my point. I hadn’t been attacked at the time I first felt fear. I had a bad feeling about this guy, but I told myself he had the right to walk along the same sidewalks I was, and even to enter the vestibule of my apartment building behind me. Like I said, I was naive. I could have prevented the attack if I had punched him/scratched/kicked him. Would I have not been justified?</p>

<p>As for size, TM was a gangly kid, only 158 pounds. GZ was solid–at least 30 or 40 pounds more, grown into his body and taking MMA classes 6 or more hours a week. He was only 28. And the fact is, TM WAS scared/worried/concerned about being followed–he said so to his friend. He was scared FIRST, and GZ did not do anything to defuse the situation. He was the grown man and he seemed to treat the whole thing like a live-action video game–until it got out of control.</p>

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<p>MODERATOR’S NOTE</p>

<p>OK, we’re getting complaint reports. We’re closing the thread. DO NOT start another one.</p>