The verdict came Saturday evening. Here is President Obama's
statement in full:
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. 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. 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. 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.
Obama has yet to appear before the media since the verdict so he has not been asked if he feels it was just. His administration has worked toward toughening
gun laws and his urging Americans to ask if their country is "doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives...on a daily basis" may be a reflection of his intention to continue working toward stricter gun laws.
When this tragedy first came to the public light in March of 2012, Obama had
said "If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon." At that time he added that it was "absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect" of the teenagers shooting death.
