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Subscribe to RSSPresident Obama addresses the Trayvon Martin case from a White House Rose Garden event.
President Barack Obama said Friday that "every aspect" of the death of Trayvon Martin, the black teenager shot in Florida last month, must be investigated.
"My main message is to the parents of Trayvon Martin: If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon," Obama said. "I think they are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves, and we're going to get to the bottom of what happened."
The president was speaking Friday at the end of a news conference outside of the White House announcing his nomination of Dartmouth president Jim Yong Kim for president of the World Bank.
Asked by NBC's Mike Viqueira to comment on the Martin case, which has prompted national outrage after the shooter evaded arrest for claiming he shot the unarmed teen out of self-defense, Obama said, "Obviously, this is a tragedy. I can only imagine what these parents are going through. And when I think about this boy, I think about my own kids."He added, "I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this and that everybody pulls together - federal, state, and local - to figure out exactly how this tragedy happened."
Storify: Politicians' reaction to the Trayvon Martin case
Martin's family thanked the president in an email statement.
"We'd like to thank the President and the millions of people from around the world who have shown their support for Trayvon by participating in hoodie marches, rallies or through social media. We are all working together to not only get justice for Trayvon, but also to ensure that this kindof senseless tragedy doesn't happen to another child."
In Miami, students from more than a dozen schools staged a walkout to protest the lack of an arrest in the shooting of a black Florida teen. NBC's Ron Allen reports.
Martin, 17, was shot and killed by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman on Feb. 26 in Sanford, Fla.
"All of us have to do some soul-searching to do figure out how something like this happens," Obama told reporters.
Vote on Facebook: Appropriate for president to weigh in?
Meanwhile, on Friday, students at several South Florida high schools staged walkouts Friday morning in a protest against the lack of an arrest in the shooting.
Young, black, and in a hoodie: Recipe for disaster?
Hundreds of students from Miami Central, Miami Edison, Miami Norland and American Senior High poured out into the streets just after 9 a.m., reported NBCMiami.com.
Students at Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, which Martin was attending when he was killed, will be making a banner in his honor that will be signed by students, said NBCMiami.com.
Republicans join call for Trayvon Martin inquiry
Zimmerman, the 28-year-old man who fatally shot Martin, has not been arrested, but is the subject of a civil rights investigation by the Justice Department and FBI. A grand jury will be convened on April 10 to determine whether to charge him.
NBC's legal correspondent Savannah Guthrie and managing editor of TheGrio.com, Joy-Ann Reid, offer their take on the Trayvon Martin case.
On Thursday, the police chief in the Martin case temporarily stepped down, saying he had become a distraction to the investigation.
Martin's parents said that wasn't enough, and that Zimmerman should be taken into custody.
"We want an arrest, we want a conviction and we want him sentenced for the murder of my son," Martin's father, Tracy, said to large crowd of supporters in downtown Sanford on Thursday.
NBCMiami.com contributed to this report.
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6'3 footballer jumps a guy. Guy defends self with handy tools. Problem?
Do you think GZ punched himself in the nose?
Evolution works.
Actually, several officers on the scene that night said they thought Zimmerman's wounds were self inflicted. Also, if confronted by a man you didn't know, demanding information from you, and you felt threatened, might you have punched him in the nose to escape?
Now that we are on the Subject of who "Obama" would look like. Anyone at MSNBC or the Media Elite ever ask "Obama" why he looks a lot more like Frank Marshall Davis than "Obama Senior". Go ahead, look at their photos on the Internet comparing "Obama" with pictures of "Obama Senior" and "Frank Marshall Davis". If you are objective and honest, you would say the current occupant of the Oval Office looks a lot more like Frank Marshall Davis than "Obama Senior"
So go ahead MSNBC, ask about this or are you just there to cover up your Annoited One?
Go piss up a rope.
So Thermen, when the facts of Obama's past are known, you are REALLY going to be mad and telling everyone to "Go Piss up a rope". Yes, truth that will eventually come are going to hurt your thinking, Are you going to be humble enough to admit it when the truth of Obama's past comes to light?
Kurt's comments
so your past stands up? methinks not...
Oh, good Lord. So now you think "communism" is genetic? What a silly comment, Kurt. Truly silly.
Is this racist?
Coming our and saying "If I had a son he'd look like Trayvon?" Or again, like with the black professor who police arrested and he openly ripped the police before he had his facts...is he showing he is racist by automatically siding with the one race in these incidents?
Odd that he only seems outraged when a black man is involved. Asian, Hispanic, white...never hear him utter a word when anyone else is shot or arrested.
Wonder how this can be considered anything but racist.
I'm sorry I can't believe that man would say such a terrible thing using death for his own selfish needs. Hay oboma if you had a boy he would be a ugly as your girls,
"What happened to Trayvon Martin is a tragedy. There needs to be a thorough investigation that reassures the public that justice is carried out with impartiality and integrity," --- Mitt Romney
"It's a horrible case, and it's chilling to hear what happened ... I think it's pretty clear the problems we're seeing in this case, and hopefully the state Attorney General and local community is reacting and responding, and hopefully this matter will be an example of what law enforcement has to do in a case like this." --- Rick Santorum
Cheri Halstead..to be criticizing Obama's girls like that you must be a real knockout...
why do I think you might not be ?
Obama isn't man enough to have a son....further that clown is going to start a riot
He is trying to use it a s a stepping stone for politics what a loser president of a country uses death as tool for gain. Justice will serve its purpose without "if" comments.
"What happened to Trayvon Martin is a tragedy. There needs to be a thorough investigation that reassures the public that justice is carried out with impartiality and integrity," --- Mitt Romney
"It's a horrible case, and it's chilling to hear what happened ... I think it's pretty clear the problems we're seeing in this case, and hopefully the state Attorney General and local community is reacting and responding, and hopefully this matter will be an example of what law enforcement has to do in a case like this." --- Rick Santorum
h
msfruhauf
Noah, the shooter not even being arrested let alone tried in court after shooting and killing a kid -is a national embarassment to our law, goverment, and country as a whole. Where does "Liberty and Justice for all" come into play there? And you claim that after such an occurance, our own president should, of all people, "stay out of it" ?
Explain why Obama doesn't make remarks on all the murder cases that occurred in the US on that day? Funny how he picks only this one to comment on and you think that it is not politcally motivated?
"What happened to Trayvon Martin is a tragedy. There needs to be a thorough investigation that reassures the public that justice is carried out with impartiality and integrity," --- Mitt Romney
"It's a horrible case, and it's chilling to hear what happened ... I think it's pretty clear the problems we're seeing in this case, and hopefully the state Attorney General and local community is reacting and responding, and hopefully this matter will be an example of what law enforcement has to do in a case like this." --- Rick Santorum
The racists are out in full force today. If being young, black and wearing a hoodie is a crime for which the punishment is to be summarily executed, the punishment for you racists should be to die a slow and torturous death on national TV.
and the peanut gallery is heard from
We already have heard enough from you peanut.
Here is the appropriate website for you;
http://pbskids.org/sesame/
everyone who is not a democrat is a racist.
...and therefore needs to be executed for not following the obama regime
Same website for you keck;
http://pbskids.org/sesame/
are you going to execute my children too.
...they are not black, and not democrat
are you going to execute my children too.
tool
Thermen Merman racists sure are out in full force...wish they'd all move to China ..or North Korea...now that would be a treat to watch on CNN
His entire election and plans for re-election is to fuel the race fire, cause riots so he can claim total control. Little by little he is "changing "this Country and destroying it for his America hating backers. I have never heard of anythign as stupid as what he said. He injects himself into every issue that benefits race hate. All you Obama supportes are going to be very shocked to see when his true agenda becomes his reality and our demise. This is a tragic loss of this young man, my sympathy to his loved ones. I hope that justice is served more so that what Casey Anthony got from the people of Fla.
This tragedy is truly horrible. But when obamy uses it as another attempt to buy votes it makes it even worse. What a sorry piece of garbage using a tragedy for personnel gains.
"What happened to Trayvon Martin is a tragedy. There needs to be a thorough investigation that reassures the public that justice is carried out with impartiality and integrity," --- Mitt Romney
"It's a horrible case, and it's chilling to hear what happened ... I think it's pretty clear the problems we're seeing in this case, and hopefully the state Attorney General and local community is reacting and responding, and hopefully this matter will be an example of what law enforcement has to do in a case like this." --- Rick Santorum
It is fantastic to me how the racists have come out of their closets since Obama was elected. Used to be they hid behind their sheets - now they feel free to spew their bile right out in public. Although they still hide behind this thin veil of autonomy here - it just shows what cowards they truly are! But come on out where we can see - and smell - you! You even have your own party now teabaggers. How nice for you - and us - so we can know you for who you really are! The economy getting better - Obama's rating going up - come out, come out wherever you are - racist pigs! Show us how corrupted and black your souls are - how ignorant - how hateful - how cowardly you can be!
anyone that is against the obama regime is a terrorist and needs to be executed
I personally take that as a threat.
dont worry ellie, that clown is hiding behind his computer screen acting tough
JT - The race is on! I agree that Obama has re-inspired various forms of racism since his 2008 campaign and election. Racism is a TWO way street though. There are Black racists and White racists. Was it racist that 96% of the Black vote was for Obama in 2008? A majority of blacks voted purely on Obama's skin color. Your really think all of them knew anything about his policies and voted based on his credentials? Exit polls showed they didn't have a clue about his credentials or policies. Be honest, Obama has said more things to cause more racial (and class) division rather than uniting during his presidency over what any white president during the past century ever did.
Truth, your reasoning is BALONEY...
The Right had inspired the spike in racism by all the muslim, hate whites, hates America, isnt a citizen BS Obama has had to put up with for 3 years now...
AND THIS IS BS..
A majority of blacks voted purely on Obama's skin color
Blacks HISTORICALLY vote Dem, and guess what, Obama is a Democrat...
Now was the fact that Obama is black a BONUS, most assuredly....
IF Hillary ran she too would have had the black vote....
AND THIS: Obama has said more things to cause more racial (and class)
AGAIN I CALL BS...
The GOP was taken over by the teabaggers and the assault on the lower and middle class was increased 10 fold.....
TALK ABOUT CLASS WARFARE..
Assaults on the programs that benefit the poor have been increasing since Bush W, and further perpetuated by the teabaggers..AND not even including the gutting of the SS trust fund by Bush, AFTER he PROMISED he wouldnt touch it..
THERE ARE SOOOO MANY EXAMPLES of the exact opposite of what you claim, a blind deaf mute could see and hear them
Dan, take off your blinders and grow a brain. More blacks rocked the vote than ever before in history in 2008, which I think is fantastic! It was about time deadbeat voters came out of the woodwork and leveraged their right to vote. My point is that were it not for Obama's skin color, despite his being a Democrat, those particular voters would have not bothered voting...and much less for Hillary. It is unfortunate and it showed Racism is alive and well in the Democrat voting demographic. There were also many deadbeat voters on the GOP side that didn't vote because McCain was a horrible candidate, so they stayed home, which is unfortunate too, but it's their right.
As for Tea Party, name one incident of racism or even a single arrest of a Tea party or GOP member while protesting or meeting in a public square. On the other hand are plenty of incidents to go around on the OWS and Democrat backed protests. With the kind of violence and nuisance the Democrats use in protests to keep social programs, why in the world would conservatives want to help fund programs for their ungrateful, despicable attitudes? Would you want to pay for social programs if the GOP were out in public looting and rioting that you should pay more of their programs? I think not. True respect and good will is EARNED, not forced like the left wing wants America to do. Mark my words, the line in the sand is getting wider and longer between left and right...
I have said this before but I think it is worth saying again...especially coming from a lifelong liberal Democrat like myself, who has usually supported Obama before. But I feel that his heartfelt words might be misunderstood, as meaning that he cares more about black children than white ones.
It really does not matter. The Obama haters are showing just how childish, racist and ignorant they are. They will get their due. Karma is a bitch and God has no place in Heaven for them.
Appears that just about every word from Obama's mouth is misunderstood or just an outright lie.
Thank you for proving my point.
Ignorant is as ignorant thinks.
Thinker is brainwashed and can not be saved.Total drone soldier for Rush and only answers to Rush.
Atheist. How do you know you are not the one that's brainwashed? Speaking of soldiers...Thinker is a CorpSman...not a drone. LOL
as far as race relations in america.
...obama is the worst thing to happen to race relations in 50 years.
we have been set back thanks to obama.
I don't think we have been set back. I believe that, after the Civil Rights Movement, things appeared better on the surface, but were still roiling underneath. We still have very far to go in that arena.
WE?
like you know anything about racism other than you being racist...
Id be willing to bet any amount of money you are one of the people claiming that racism doesnt exsist anymore in the US...
There is a black POTUS, so how can there be, right?
This goes to show you Obama don't know when to keep his mouth shut and this is not federal business.
It is federal business. The justice department is looking into this because it could very well be a violation of federal hate crime laws.
A little bit of knowledge about the law would have gone a long way had you not beeked off about it without knowing the law. Now you look like a complete and ignorant fool. Congratulations.
So do you join your candidates or will the racism win out Republicans? Tell us or better yet show us.
It's plain to see some people are trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill.
Certain people from day one, said they would do all the can to make sure Obama doesn't get a second term.
Capecodmom,
You are trying to be logical and realistic. For some in this country, Obama can do nothing right. I have given up.
I have signed every petition to bring the murderer Zimmerman to justice.
Enough already! This is not about President Obama. This is about a 17-year-old kid being murdered. If you don't like President Obama's policies, then fine, that's your business, but attacking him for uttering a simple statement such as he did, does not deserve all of this uproar.
If you read the article, President Obama was asked about the Martin case, he did not volunteer anything on his own. There's too much being made of this. When I heard about the incident, I responded in the very same manner," this could have been my kid", or anybody's kid for that matter. It sickened me how this kid was gunned down. He was just a kid, unarmed, on his way to his dad's girlfriend's home, who did not deserve to be shot dead by some overzealous neighborhood watch guy. Please, just ask yourselves, if this was your kid, could you see how wrong this killing was on every level. What is this, the wild, wild west we're living in, when anyone can shoot someone, walk away scott free without any question, or even brought in to the police station for questioning.
Please can we have a little more empathy, and not stereo type everyone, black, white, or hispanic, whatever. Instead of people coming together for a common cause to demand justice for this kid and his family, we're bashing the president. Wow! America is screwed up.
Surely, every mother and father should be outraged by this incident. Instead again, we're blaming the president. Mr. and Mrs. Martin, I am truly saddened by your loss. Hopefully somehow, something good can come out of this mess.
Excellent point. However you are preaching the choir and to the heathens. There does not seem to be ANY middle ground anymore.
The point is this could happen to any child. Thank God the black community is not over reacting like these planned executions are all about. Thank God the Afghan people show restraint this proves we are not animals. We can look past the hate they would love us to drown in and follow in Gods foot steps to our salvation. The road is a long one and never easy we shall over come .
"It really does not matter. The Obama haters are showing just how childish, racist and ignorant they are. They will get their due. Karma is a bitch and God has no place in Heaven for them." Therman Merman
does that go for you also since you voted for and fully support a man who is racist against the unborn and propagates their murder?? just askin since your self righteous tone is enough to choke yourself on
This is about the killing of an already born, fully formed young man and the national response to his death. Save the anti-abortion rhetoric for a story about that subject.
Okay, I listened to every word of the president's response to the reporter's question on the death of this 17 year old in Florida. Here is what I think:
It was a heartfelt response coming from the president as a PARENT, not the commander-in-chief. And it should have made more Americans feel proud of him for displaying his emotional feelings about the tragedy, as a PARENT. The words came from the heart, as a PARENT. And it makes me feel more proud to have him as my president too.
If he had dismissed the question with a "sorry, that's not what this press conference is about", or "I cannot concern myself with what is a local issue, next question", what would the Obama haters have said then?
President Obama exhibits the best of what America is all about.
But you fanatical Obama haters represent the absolute worst.
I agree. Given what is typed here by Republicans, I have to say he is more of a man than any Republican man making racist comments here today. If you post racist comments, you are not a man or a woman.
Here's to wondering how angry you all were when Dubya told Terri Schiavo's husband he wasn't in charge of his wife's care, any more.
Not a peep, I bet. Just keep it real: whatever Obama does, whatever he says, YOU HATE HIm. PERIOD.
Republicans are seeing red and foaming at the mouth with hate and racism at this point. Reading is not one of their goals. Posting racist, mean and hateful things is what interests them now.
yep.
well good, drown in it like you do , but then that buys you a oneway ticket to you know where --->
where?
I have a 2-D screen rats!
The Campaigner in Chief should NEVER make a comment on a criminal case under investigation. By inference, the shooter is guilty. Maybe he should talk about the 49 minority young men killed in Chicago since Jan. 1st.
The difference is, in none of those killings, there were no dubious claims of self defense. And if the President was going to comment on the violence in Chicago, I would imagine he would speak on the murder of a six year old girl, shot playing in her front yard over the St. Paddy's Day weekend.
If I had a son he would look like George Clooney. Get in line ladies.
TOLERANCE and civility is a righteous thought from a righteous man that holds true to those words. ehh !
relax jesse jr was elected-
or maybe just stfu and keep packing for his next tax paid vacation