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Trayvon Martin Protests, Lies Follow Saturday’s Verdict

By Kim LaCapria
Published on: 04:33 PST, Jul 15, 2013

As Trayvon Martin protests spread to seemingly all major US cities, Trayvon Martin case lies seem to be spreading as quickly — and above all else, no one looks like they’re ready to yet let go of the case, its controversies, or its implications.

Trayvon Martin protests flooded New York City and Los Angeles last night in major numbers, with as many as 10,000 people in attendance for the former, and streams of demonstrators blocking freeways in California as people reacted to the legal exoneration of George Zimmerman.

Supporters of the Martin family took to the streets — but Zimmerman supporters took to Twitter, social media, and old media to continue the character assassination of Trayvon Martin.

Among the “facts” continually bandied about regarding the short life and tragic death of Trayvon Martin are a series of vicious smears, painting the teen as far more frightening and criminal than a long-seasoned gangster.

Leading the charge is Robert Zimmerman, Jr., brother of George and his fiercest advocate. (Also, one of Trayvon’s loudest critics.)

A bizarre aspect counter to the Trayvon Martin protests are the Trayvon Martin opponents, and Frank Taaffe is another loud anti-Trayvon voice in the media.

Right after the George Zimmerman verdict served as a metaphorical shot to the heart for Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, Zimmerman Jr. went on TV to accuse Trayvon of making, selling, or using “lean,” a new homemade drug concoction.

Zimmerman also alleged that Martin may have been growing marijuana, claimed he was “armed with the sidewalk,” and even suggested he tried to get guns.

Taaffe has several times stated that there were X number of robberies in the neighborhood in which he and George lived, and added it would have been “one more” had Zimmerman not “stopped Trayvon” as he… walked home.

Earlier this year, Taaffe said:

“We had eight burglaries in our neighborhood all perpetrated by young black males in the 15 months prior to Trayvon being shot… It would have been nine.”

Web supporters taking Zimmerman and Taaffe’s dangerous lead continue to complain, inaccurately, that images of Trayvon Martin circulated were “when he was 12,” suggesting the media presented him as more sympathetic than (we imagine) an adult black male, who we all know you can shoot with impunity otherwise.

Despite long-ago debunkings, many continue to repeat that Martin was in possession of burglary tools (false, it was a screwdriver), that he had a “bag full of women’s jewelry” (again false), that he was 6’2? and covered in tattoos (extensively debunked by Snopes), and that he had been arrested (also false.)

Despite the oddly continued smear campaign, Trayvon Martin rallies covered America last night, and there are indications more will happen tonight.

Some tweet pics:

Are you supporting the #JusticeForTrayvon Trayvon Martin protests, or do you believe George Zimmerman is the one unfairly demonized?

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