Responses from the parents of Trayvon Martin, President Obama, Dr. Alveda King, Stephen Colbert, Stevie Wonder and others

Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin: "I have no clue if I should tell him to run or walk, if I should tell him to defend himself or just lay there. I have to clue what to tell him." "But when you have a situation such as an unarmed teen gets shot in the heart for doing absolutely nothing, you have to say to yourself, 'What is it that I can tell my child now?'" (Full story on Huffington Post) President Obama: ‘‘It’s important to recognize that the African-American community is looking at this issue through a set of experiences and a history that doesn’t go away,’’ he said. Noting that distrust shadows African-American men, that they sometimes are closely followed when they shop at department stores, that they can draw nervous stares on elevators and hear car locks clicking when they walk down the street — experiences that he personally felt before becoming a well-known figure, Obama commented, ‘‘It’s inescapable for people to bring those experiences to bear." (Full story on The Boston Globe) Video on Huffington Post.

Religious Voices

Baltimore Religious Leaders Discuss Zimmerman Acquittal on One News Page. Dr. Alveda King: "I believe that the verdict in the Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin Case further exposes a grievous and deep vein of disharmony and racial tension in our nation that can only be healed when people realize that every human being should be treated with dignity and respect." on The Christian Post. Religious Groups React to the Zimmerman Verdict on Hot Dogma Blog. Religious leaders sound off on George Zimmerman acquittal on The Examiner.

Thinkers and Leaders

Donna Brazile: "I respect the verdict, but I still believe that #Zimmerman had the upper hand and chose to profile, follow & later kill an unarmed teenager." Ta-Nehisi Coates: "Everything that is immoral is not illegal—nor should it be" (http://theatln.tc/15FaI1Y) Michael Eric Dyson: "Zimmerman not-guilty decision one of the most profound miscarriages of justice in our nation's history. Trayvon Martin grieves in his grave. Michael Moore: "Had a gun-toting Trayvon Martin stalked an unarmed George Zimmerman, and then shot him to death... DO I EVEN NEED TO COMPLETE THIS SENTENCE?"

Artists

Beyonce holds a moment of silence for Trayvon Martin. (Boston.com) Libbra Bray, "Can't find the words to talk about the Zimmerman verdict. Listening to Sam Cooke & trying to believe A Change Is Gonna Come. #TrayvonMartin" Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report, "Folks, this is a victory for the Rule of Law, in that in Florida apparently no longer has rules or laws." (America Blog) Bruce Springsteen performed his song "American Skin (41 Shots)," dedicating the track to the late 17-year-old. "I want to send this one out as a letter back home," Springsteen reportedly told the crowd. "For justice for Trayvon Martin." (Huffington Post) Stevie Wonder, “I decided today that until the stand your ground law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again,” (The Globe and Mail)