After the recent decision in the Trayvon Martin case, many Americans erupted in anger and disappointment about George Zimmerman’s acquittal. Almost immediately following the decision, the NAACP posted an online petition for federal prosecution of Zimmerman. And the site got so much traffic that it crashed and has been in and out ever since. MoveOn.org has been continuing the effort, but their site is also overwhelmed and crashing on and off.
Nonetheless, the petition has blown past its goal of 225,000 signatures, and had 350,000 at noon today (I can’t get on the site to check how many people have signed up since). Ben Jealous, president of the NAACP said:
We are not done demanding justice for Trayvon Martin . . . The most fundamental of civil rights — the right to life — was violated the night George Zimmerman stalked and then took the life of Trayvon Martin. We ask that the Department of Justice file civil rights charges against Mr. Zimmerman for this egregious violation. Please address the travesties of the tragic death of Trayvon Martin by acting today.
Law enforcement officials have been concerned about rioting nationwide, but protests have been largely peaceful. Social media has been inundated with opinions and discussion since last night as have other forums. Clearly. [The Nation, Good Morning America]