Obama releases statement following Zimmerman not guilty verdict

President Obama has released a statement on the George Zimmerman not guilty trial verdict in the wake of the public uproar about the decision.After Zimmerman was acquitted of second degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin, Obama addressed the jury’s decision to the media.

Obama said, 

“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.”The president continues, “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,” urges Obama, adding, “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.”Obama further notes, “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.”