USW Calls for Full Investigation Into Tragic Florida Shooting

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.usw.org/media_center/releases_advisories?id=0522

The United Steelworkers (USW) International Executive Board released the following statement today on the tragic shooting death of a Florida teenager last month:

The United Steelworkers (USW) union is relieved that the U.S. Justice Department announced this week that it would intervene to investigate the Feb. 26 slaying of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford City, Florida after local police failed to act. The local chief has contended a state law allows a person who feels threatened to impose with impunity self-determined, self-initiated capital punishment.

“While it is a good first step that the chief has voluntarily stepped aside, we’re still a long way from achieving justice in this case” said USW International Vice President Fred Redmond.

Mr. Martin, an unarmed youth walking home from a convenience store, was shot to death by 28-year-old George Zimmerman, who was charged in 2005 with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. Zimmerman told police he acted in self-defense – even though a 911 dispatcher had told him to stop following Mr. Martin.


FULL story at link.

?1278013