Tracy Martin: “As parents understanding how they reached the verdict, I’ll never grasp that concept. Just as loving parents and God-fearing people, we just continue to pray that whatever was in their heart was what they intended to do. But we didn’t feel it was fair and, of course, it was devastating.”
What do you say about Zimmerman’s right to trail Trayvon because he looks suspicious? “I think people are forgetting that Trayvon was a teenager so he probably thought as a teenager,” Fulton said. “I really do believe he was afraid because he did call George Zimmerman creepy. So he was afraid and if you are 17 years old and you are afraid, you may not know what to do. They didn’t put themselves in Trayvon’s position,” He’s a teenager. He was scared. He ran because he was scared and you don’t lead a stranger who is following you to your house.”
What do you say about juror B37 who said she was sure that it was George Zimmerman’s voice screaming in the famous 911 call? I totally disagree. She made that assumption from hearing Zimmerman’s voice in court. she never had a chance to hear Trayvon’s voice.”
Do you think the system failed Trayvon Martin? “I think it failed Trayvon to a certain degree,” Tracy Martin said. “We didn’t get the verdict that we wanted because we wanted him to be held accountable. Yes we were disappointed.”
Do you have anything to say to the jurors? “I just really don’t have anything personal to say (to them),” Tracy Martin said. “I don’t know how you can let the killer of an unarmed boy go free. What had it been your child? I want them to put themselves in our shoes.”
Protests have popped off across the country with some (in Los Angeles and Oakland) getting violent. What do you say to them? “We have always said that we want (demonstrations) to be decent and in order,” said Fulton. “But they have a right to protest, they have a right to be heard.”
Can you forgive Zimmerman? “Forgiveness takes time,” Tracy Martin said, shaking his head. “The Bible says you have to forgive and forget. But it’s going to take time.”
Zimmerman is living like an outcast. He’s getting death threats and has to living in hiding. What do you say about Zimmerman living as an outcast like Casey Anthony who was found innocent of killing her child? “We don’t about Casey Anthony; we sit in the victim’s sit,” said Fulton. “(The problem for) young black and brown boys is that you can’t walk fast, youi walk slow. How do you get home without people thinking you are suspicious?”
Do you want the Department of Justice to file civil rights charges? Will you file civil charges against Zimmerman? “We would like the federal government to file charges. As parents we feel there could be more done. We have a lot more ahead of us. We working diligently for the Tryavon Martin Foundation — to mentor, to give scholarships, to advocate against senseless violence. There’s nothing we can do to bring Trayvon back, but we can prevent other families from going through what we went through.”
