Obama: This Is How We Should Honor Trayvon...

Calls for 'calm reflection' in wake of Zimmerman trial
By Ruth Brown,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 14, 2013 2:56 PM CDT
Obama: This is How We Should Honor Trayvon...
President Barack Obama answers a reporter's question about the death of Trayvon Martin, March 23, 2012.   (AP Photo/ Haraz N. Ghanbari)

As the aftermath of George Zimmerman's acquittal continues to unfold—the Washington Post reports protests across the nation with more planned for the future—Obama has issued a statement, asking for Americans to "respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son," but also to ask themselves "if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence." The full statement, per CNN:

  • "The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any 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. 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 to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities. We should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis. We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this. As citizens, that’s a job for all of us. That’s the way to honor Trayvon Martin."
Earlier today, Republican Rep. Steve King accused Obama of politicizing the case on Fox News Sunday. "The president engaged in this and turned it into a political issue that should have been handled exclusively with law and order," he said, USA Today reports. But others are asking the Justice Department to get even more involved. (More Barack Obama stories.)

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