Racial Divide: Readers Respond to Trayvon Martin Verdict

Nearly 300,000 people have joined the "Justice for Trayvon Martin" Facebook page after the 17-year-old was shot and killed by neighborhood watch captain, George Zimmerman. From Chicago to Los Angeles, groups around the country are kicking off rallies to protest the 'not-guilty' verdict in the case against Zimmerman and Wisconsin Patch readers are still heated about the verdict even a week after its passing. 

But it doesn't stop there. Now, teenagers are starting a new trend called "Trayvonning," where they reenact the teens death for a photo-opp. And it's spreading like wildfire across social media outlets everywhere. 

Reader opinions along the North Shore and Port Washington-Saukville ran the full spectrum from support to disapproval. However, the majority of comments circulated around one topic: race. 

Shorewood Patch reader, The Donny Show wrote, "It was the ONLY just verdict. Zimmerman got justice. He violated no laws. If this was a black on black killing it would have not only not made the news, but seen no charges brought. The worst part of all is the libtard media wanting it to be white on black and then having to keep the story going once they learned he was Hispanic."

But on Fox Point-Bayside Patch, reader Craig critized Trayvon's father for changing his story. 

"Credibility (and lack thereof) was the critical issue. The police played the recording of the altercation for the decedents father," Craig wrote. "The father said something to the effect "that is not my son's voice screaming for help". Weeks later he changed his statement and said that it definitely was his son's voice screaming for help. The credible evidence presented indicated clearly that the decedent was the aggressor in the altercation. The decedent's death is unfortunate and a tragedy."

Neil A Rubble, on Port Washington-Saukville Patch, kept his response short and to the point, writing, "I think it is fair. Justice was served."

To join the conversation, go to the home page and click on the Boards link at top of the page. Find the "Justice for Trayvon?" board and add your thoughts to the mix.