Local demonstrators react to not guilty verdict in George Zimmerman trial

Rallies are being held across the country, including a couple in Western Washington, to protest the verdict of the George Zimmerman trial.

After more than 16 hours over two days of deliberation, a jury panel of six women found neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman not guilty Saturday night in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

One rally was held Sunday morning at People’s Park in Tacoma.

On Sunday evening, hundreds of people gathered at a rally in Seattle’s Westlake Park.

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Deborah Horne spoke with organizer Emma Kaplan, who said several groups are coming together to express their outrage about the not guilty verdict.

“This is saying, ‘We can kill you for no good reason at all just because of the way that you look. We can kill you and we can get away with it,’” said Kaplan.

Senior Pastor Aaron Williams of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle called Martin a victim of racism and fear.

“The criminal justice system has condoned unjust behavior, and we have witnessed what may be called the George Zimmerization of America,” said Williams.

KIRO