As the Million Hoodies March in New York City got underway on Wed., city commissioners in Sanford, Fla., voted “no confidence” in Police Chief Bill Lee Jr. (3-2) following a motion made by Commissioner Mark McCarty as a result of the growing media coverage and national outrage of the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin: “I take no pleasure in a public flogging of our police chief, but he really should turn in his resignation,” McCarty said during the meeting.
The responsibility now falls on City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr., Lee’s boss, to ask for his resignation or fire him. While he called the vote “a strong statement”, he added that he wants to wait for the Justice Department and State Attorney’s Office investigations to be completed before he makes a decision. Lee has served as chief for only 10 months after the job was taken from Brian Tooley, who failed to act promptly after a police lieutenant’s son attacked a homeless man and police didn’t arrest him even though it was video recorded and the video was in police possession.
The vote comes following the release of a letter Bonaparte issued to answer some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding the Trayvon Martin case (READ THE LETTER). In addition, the commission voted to move Monday’s City Commission meeting to the Sanford Civic Center (401 E. Seminole Blvd. Sanford, FL 32771) to accommodate the massive crowd expected to attend with the meeting being fully devoted to the case. Members of Trayvon Martin’s family are expected to speak, and the Trayvon Martin March for Justice, led by Empower Movement, has been relocated, as well. Marchers are asked to gather at Centennial Park (400 Park Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771) at 4 p.m. to march to the civic center.
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The outcry surrounding the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin continues to gain momentum as more media outlets report the story and individuals rally with his family in its quest for justice.
On Wednesday, his parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton appeared on Today to discuss the latest developments in the case, noting that the phone call with Trayvon’s 16-year-old girlfriend proves he wasn’t doing anything suspicious, and, as attorney Ben Crump mentioned at a news conference on Tuesday, “completely blows Zimmerman’s absurd self-defense claim out of the water”. View their interview below and read on for the latest details.
Trayvon Martin’s Parents on Today
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The family of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin continues in its quest for justice as George Zimmerman, the self-appointed neighborhood watch captain who shot and killed him last month, has yet to be charged for any crime.
Following the release of the 911 calls over the weekend, on Mon., March 19, Trayvon’s mother, Sybrina Fulton, appeared on NBC’s Today with family attorney Ben Crump and explained to Matt Lauer that her son had “committed no crime” and George Zimmerman reacted to the color of Trayvon’s skin. View the video below, and stay tuned to @ConcreteLoop for the latest updates in the case.
Trayvon Martin’s mom, Sybrina Fulton, on Today
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On Friday, March 16, the Sanford Police Department released the 911 calls (LISTEN HERE) involving the tragic death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin who was shot and killed last month, while the shooter, George Zimmerman, remains a free man.
The recordings include the seven 911 calls neighbors made after hearing Trayvon cry for help and beg for his life before two shots were fired. George Zimmerman’s call was also made available, in which he details the suspicious person:
“This guy looks like he’s up to no good, or he’s on drugs or something,” Zimmerman tells the 911 operator. “He’s just staring, looking at all the houses. Now he’s coming toward me. He’s got his hand in his waistband. Something’s wrong with him.”
Zimmerman described Martin as wearing a hoodie and sweatpants or jeans. He continues: “He’s coming to check me out. He’s got something in his hands. I don’t know what his deal is. Can we get an officer over here?”
“These assholes always get away,” he says to the operator. Zimmerman is then heard giving directions to the dispatcher.
“Shit, he’s running,” Zimmerman says.
“Are you following him?” the dispatchers asked. “Yes,” Zimmerman responds.
“We don’t need you to do that,” the dispatcher says.
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