[1]NYC #Justice4Trayvon rally reaches Times Square, July 15, 2013. Photo posted by Macey J. Foronda on Twitter
Thousands joined peaceful protests held in many U.S. cities [2] after the acquittal in Florida on July 15, 2013 of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin [3]. Protesters condemned the “Stand Your Ground” laws [4], legislation in effect in more than 20 states that allow the use of force as self-defense when a person feels reasonably threatened, as racist. Global Voices social media editor Asteris Masouras curated updates and photos [5] of the protests on Storify. On the day following the protests, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder slammed [6] “Stand Your Ground” laws as dangerous to public safety, in line with research [7] asserting that they result in an increase of homicides.