Jul 17, 2013 2 min read Amarachi Lounge

Locals Voice Disappointment, Outrage with Zimmerman Acquittal

Michael Black, a 56-year-old Fort Greene resident whose family has lived in the neighborhood for more than 50 years, was one of the locals who expressed outrage with the not-guilty verdict. — Michael Black, a 56-year-old Fort Greene resident whose family has lived in the neighborhood for more than 50 years, was one local who expressed outrage when discussing the trial of George Zimmerman. (Photo by Emily Field)

Disappointment, anger and frustration were chief among local reactions to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

“He shouldn’t be free,” said Olga Rodriguez, 26.

Rodriguez said she thinks both Martin and Zimmerman were at fault for the physical altercation that preceded Martin’s death, but ultimately views Zimmerman as more responsible.

“Zimmerman had no business approaching him and stalking him,” she said.

After 15 hours of deliberation, the six-woman jury found Zimmerman, 29, not guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of the Sanford, Florida teenager on July 13. Zimmerman, who is Hispanic, claimed he shot Martin in self-defense, while the prosecution accused him of racially profiling the African-American youth. The verdict, which came as a surprise to some Fort Greene residents, has sparked outrage and protests across the country; on Sunday, protest rallies in Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx drew thousands of marchers.

“I was at the protest in Union Square. I guess that tells you my opinion on the case,” said Chandani Smith, 16. “This is my generation’s version of Rodney King, but worse.”

“I was really hoping for justice, but I wasn’t necessarily expecting it,” Smith said.

Several locals said that they did not understand how the jury reached its decision.

“This is Florida, where Casey Anthony got off. It boggles the mind.” said Eric Madison, 50. He said he had been following the case and the trial, and was surprised by the verdict. “If you are so threatened, why are you getting out of your car and accosting him?”

“This guy Zimmerman was an adult,” said Manny Sanchez, 58. “You’re gonna shoot a child? You’ve got to think as a parent.”

Others saw the verdict as evidence of a continued racial divide and injustice in America.

“Black people’s lives don’t count in this country. Any time a black person dies here, nobody does anything about it,” said Michael Black, 56. “With black on black crime especially, it’s all just swept under the rug. And with white on black crime, justice is only an illusion.”

“It’s awful and it makes me sad about America,” said Liz Gately, 31. “I was surprised that they let Zimmerman go – I wish they hadn’t – but I guess I’m not too surprised.”

Antonia Massa contributed reporting.