Hyattsville, Maryland – CASA de Maryland, the state’s largest Latino and immigrant rights organization, condemns the verdict in the Trayvon Martin murder case, the manner in which Florida law sets the stage for vigilantism, and a culture in which young people of color do not feel equally protected under the law. On behalf of its almost 40,000 members, CASA expresses its deepest regrets for the suffering of the Martin family and calls on Marylanders to address epidemic racism here and elsewhere.
CASA believes that the Zimmerman verdict demonstrates how flawed the United States justice system is. This case also indicates how all kinds of people from all different backgrounds need to unite, stay strong and think clearly about what our next moves should be to make this country a better and safer place to live in.
Trayvon Martin was not the first or only victim of racial profiling and hate crimes. New York City provides a recent and specific example. In the last two years, black and Hispanic residents have made up 52% of the population, yet accounted for 84% of recorded stops made by the NYPD.
“Racial and ethnic harassment is just one of many symptoms of the unfinished business of the civil rights movement that Latinos share with our African-American brothers and sisters. We weep for Trayvon.”
