If he weren’t arrested, I would. Again, I don’t immediately assume racism on the part of anyone involved, though if it were to be placed upon anyone, it would be the police themselves. I don’t immediately dismiss the possibility either.
But for a kid this young, regardless of his or his attacker’s race, to be killed in a situation that was entirely unnecessary and unwarranted is atrocious, and it cries out to heaven for justice. Trayvon Martin had no history of criminal or violent behavior, and was apprarently an exemplary student with hopes of pursuing college education in aviation. I just don’t believe the claims of Zimmerman, a person who DOES have a history of violent behavior, saying that he was attacked as he was walking back to his SUV. He is a much older, much larger man who Martin’s girlfriend has testified she heard, in the background of their phone call, yelling at Martin as he prepared to flee. The girlfriend says she told him to run, to which he replied, “I’m not gonna run, I’m just gonna walk really fast.” After which she heard him yell, “Why are you following me?”
Clearly Martin was frightened, and clearly Zimmerman was aggressive. It’s so cut and dry it’s ridiculous. People get arrested for less every day. If Zimmerman was harmed, it’s because he intimidated someone and put himself in harm’s way. It’s not self-defense if you instigate it.