Topic: Trayvon Martin

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Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012

From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 4 ways they compare on gun control

A spate of gun violence has beset the United States ahead of the November election, raising the perennial question about how effectively America regulates its 300 million-plus guns. Yet neither presidential candidate is likely to hoist his own complicated record as a rallying cry.
George Zimmerman bond hearing: 5 new things we learned

A judge ruled Friday that George Zimmerman can go free on $150,000 bond as he awaits trial in the Trayvon Martin case. The hearing turned into a mini-trial when defense attorney Mark O’Mara surprisingly challenged prosecutors' probable-cause affidavit. Here are five things we learned.
How 5 young black men see the Trayvon Martin case

The Monitor approached, at random, five young black men in Boston, Los Angeles, Coral Gables, Fla., and Louisville, Ky., and asked them to talk about the Trayvon Martin case, race relations, hoodies, and, of course, their own life experiences. Here's what they had to say.
Trayvon Martin case: Three key questions still not answered

In the month since teenager Trayvon Martin was fatally shot by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, leaks favorable to one side or the other have swung perceptions of the incident back and forth. Given what is currently known, what are the key questions on which Mr. Zimmerman’s guilt or innocence could turn?

All Content

Trayvon Martin: Why Fox pulled 'Neighborhood Watch' movie ads

Fox pulled posters and a trailer for the movie "Neighborhood Watch," a summer comedy. Separately, Trayvon Martin's mother filed to trademark rally slogans about her son.
'New Black Panthers' offer reward for George Zimmerman. Who are they?

The New Black Panthers are characterized as a hate group by several experts. The 1960s-era Black Panthers have sought to distance themselves from the New Black Panthers.
Opinion: Trayvon Martin: the crime of being black, male, and wearing a hoodie

Whatever happens to neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, the dialogue on race must go on. Media perpetually associate criminality with black males. Legislators criminalize black dress. And the criminal justice system disproportionately penalizes black men and boys.
Does police incident report upend Trayvon Martin case?

The police incident report tells a new narrative about what happened in the Trayvon Martin case between the teenager and shooter George Zimmerman. Where some see a rush to judgment against Zimmerman, others see a besieged police department justifying its investigation.
Should Al Sharpton be Trayvon Martin activist and MSNBC host?

Al Sharpton is a leading civil rights activist in the Trayvon Martin case. He also hosts a daily politics show on MSNBC. Is there a conflict between Sharpton's activism and his journalism?
Did Trayvon Martin attack George Zimmerman first?

Neighborhood watch leader George Zimmerman says Trayvon Martin punched him, jumped on top of him and began banging his head on a sidewalk. Zimmerman said he cried for help, then shot Martin.
Trayvon Martin was suspended from school at time of death, report says

The slain Florida teen had been caught with traces of marijuana several days before he was shot, though he has no criminal record.
The Monitor's View: Trayvon Martin case: What cities can learn

Cities like Sanford must improve their community-building to reduce the kind of fear that might have led George Zimmerman to confront a hoodie-covered Trayvon Martin.
Trayvon Martin case: Is hoodie a symbol of menace or desire for justice? (+video)

Protesters are donning hoodies in rallies calling for an arrest in the Trayvon Martin case, but others say that wearing a hoodie in the wrong neighborhood puts minority kids at risk.
Trayvon Martin hoodie and Skittles rallies spread across nation

From Atlanta to Seattle, rallies were held this weekend calling for justice in the Trayvon Martin case. More Trayvon Martin rallies are planned for today.
Trayvon Martin case: US could bring hate crime charge against George Zimmerman

The Justice Department could bring a hate crime charge against George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin if there is sufficient evidence the slaying was motivated by racial bias.
Who is George Zimmerman, and why did he shoot Trayvon Martin?

George Zimmerman, the Florida neighborhood watch captain who shot unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, wanted to be a police officer and mentored an African-American boy. Is he a vigilante or, as one neighbor said, 'a good dude'?
Obama on Trayvon Martin death: a time of 'soul-searching' for 'all of us' (+video)

President Obama on Friday addressed for the first time the shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, saying, 'If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon.' Some decry an 'official national tragedy.'
Opinion: Where's the Trayvon Martin petition about gun control?

Protesters back a petition to prosecute George Zimmerman for fatally shooting unarmed Trayvon Martin. We need to ask whether 'Stand Your Ground' measures make people trigger-happy. And we need to think about the most common victims of lax gun laws: African Americans.
Trayvon Martin case: More protests Friday in Florida (+video)

Trayvon Martin protesters plan Friday morning rally in Tallahassee, Fla. How do Travon Martin supporters and civil rights activists define justice?
Thousands rally for slain black teen Trayvon Martin

Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III joined Martin's parents at the rally.
Police chief, state attorney step aside in Trayvon Martin case

Both officials said that their presence was a potential distraction to the investigation.
Opinion: Trayvon Martin could have been my brother

I can only hope that the family of Trayvon Martin and the social media activists who have raised awareness about his killing get the justice that they are fighting for. And that my brothers might be just a bit more safe the next time they’re on their way to the store.
Trayvon Martin case shows evolving influence of black community

The black community – from actors to journalists – has played a crucial role in keeping the Trayvon Martin case in the public spotlight, media analysts say.
Will Trayvon Martin case spur rethinking of Stand Your Ground laws? (+video)

Calls are mounting to reassess, and perhaps refine, the Stand Your Ground law in Florida, after the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin by a man who apparently pursued the teen and then claimed self-defense.
Trayvon Martin case: Should Sanford police chief be fired?

Late Wednesday, Sanford city commissioners passed a motion of "no confidence" in Police Chief Bill Lee Jr., who has defended his department for not arresting George Zimmerman after he shot Trayvon Martin, a black teenager.
NYC march honors slain Florida teenager

Trayvon Martin's parents spoke at the "Million Hoodie March", saying that his son did not deserve to die.
Trayvon Martin case: use of Stand Your Ground law or pursuit of a black teen?

A grand jury in Florida and the US Justice Department will both probe the Feb. 26 shooting death of teenager Trayvon Martin. Key questions: Did the alleged gunman racially profile Trayvon? And did he use the Stand Your Ground law appropriately?