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Tenn. Black Caucus Calls For Review Of 'Stand Your Ground'

Trayvon Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, speak on NBC's Today show on Thursday, July 18, 2013. (NBC screenshot)
Trayvon Martin's parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, speak on NBC's Today show on Thursday, July 18, 2013. (NBC screenshot)

Trayvon Martin’s parents spoke on Thursday morning for the first time since George Zimmerman was acquitted of all criminal charges in the shooting death of their unarmed teenage son.

In their appearance on the Today Show, Tracy Martin and Sabrina Fulton said they are still in shock and disbelief over the verdict.

When asked whether race played a role in the killing, Tracy Martin had no doubts.

“Was he racially profiled? I think if Trayvon was white, this would have never happened,” she said.

In the wake of the verdict, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators has called for the rejection of stand-your-ground laws, currently on the books in 20 states.

The 17 members of Tennessee’s Black Caucus are also calling for a review of that state’s stand-your-ground law, which — like Florida’s law — does not require citizens to “retreat from violence” if they feel threatened outside their home.

Guest

  • Larry Miller, state representative in Tennessee and chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

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