Council Supports Justice Dept. Reviewing Zimmerman Case For Civil Rights Violations
DETROIT (WWJ) - It's been almost two weeks since the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Florida. Now, the Detroit City Council is adding its voice to a call for a federal investigation.
Council members unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday calling for the U.S. Department of Justice to look into the case for possible civil rights charges.
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman, was acquitted of murder charges in Martin's death on July 13.
WWJ Newsradio 950 Stephanie Davis reports that Council's resolution was unanimously passed the resolution.
However, City Council member Ken Cockrel Jr. says they need to be just as outraged over everyday black-on-black crime:
"The sad truth is that the statistics show ... if you are a young black male you stand a far greater chance of being shot and killed not by some over-zealous white neighborhood watch worker but by somebody who looks just like you," he said.
Joann Watson, city council member, fired back: "Whenever somebody expresses outrage about murder, like the murder of Trayvon Martin, somebody offers a counter to ... we do - we express all kinds of outrage - over all kinds of violence."
Watson though added that many at least in the Detroit community have expressed outrage over black on black crime, but that the rallies and gatherings have not gotten the attention as the "Justice for Martin" rallies.
Council Member James Tate added that everyone has to do their part.
