Last night, in a Sanford, Florida court room, George Zimmerman was found “not guilty” in the slaying of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, having been acquitted of second-degree murder and/or manslaughter. The verdict was announced by a jury of six women after they deliberated for more than 16 hours.
Trayvon’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, were not present at the final hearing, but responded on Twitter shortly after the announcement. “Even though I am broken hearted, my faith is unshattered. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE MY BABY TRAY,” stated Mr. Martin.
Many big names in the Hip Hop community have taken to Twitter to express their disbelief over the acquittal, among them Nicki Minaj, Diddy,Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Questlove, Meek Mill, Wale, Rick Ross andCurren$y. Below, read some of these tweets, watch the announcement of the verdict and listen to Young Jeezy‘s “It’s A Cold World”, a new tribute to Trayvon.
Diddy: MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO TRAYVON’S FAMILY!!!! GOD BLESS THEM!!!!
Lil Wayne: Tampa was amazing but kame bak to my bus and saw da news…ain’t shit change, and I may never get to see it do so. I pray 4my kids & yours.
Santigold: OMG!What the fuck kind of verdict is that!So disappointed in our legal system right now.This is absolutely unacceptable! #georgezimmerman
Keri Hilson: I have no words for the verdict. But I know God is in charge. No words.
Jhené Aiko: wow
Chris Brown: Bullshit!
Diggy Simmons: Can’t even believe it… We cared so his name doesn’t go in vain. #RipTrayvonMartin
Meek Mill: He made out better than mike Vick….. And that was a simple dog fight! … It’s not about black and white or any other race..It’s about the value of a black kid life being very low in America..With a black president
The-Dream: One Day we will stop tearing each other Down and face Reality. Beyond Entertainment a Life of Color holds no Weight. Wake the Fuck Up!
Estelle: This is purely ridiculous. The fck kinda bs verdict is that??! My heart hurts for his parents right now. Just…
Busta Rhymes: #ZIMMERMAN #NOTGUILTY!! GOD GOT A GREATER PUNISHMENT 4 THIS FUCK BOY THAN THE COURT SYSTEM!! #Staytuned… WE WILL LIVE 2 SEE HIM PAY!!
Trey Songz: Can’t even gather words to express my hurt for Trayvon’s family. Devastated
Hit-Boy: They care more about dogs for sure.
Wale: Lock a man away for dogfighting (which is wrong) for two years . But u can kill a. Child tho.
Melody Thornton: I want to have faith in our system but I can only honestly say I am so fucking angry that a life was lost and 1 spared in the wrong order
K. Michelle: Get the fuck outta here… This is just pathetic.
Rick Ross: My condolences continue to go the Martin family.
Brianna Perry: Speechless… Heartbroken… No justice! Not a single charge?! Total slap in the face. Unbelievable #YRB
Rihanna: This is the saddest news ever!!! #whatsjustice #pray4theMartinFamily
Dawn Richard: Praying for Trayvon’s family in this time of sorrow. This speaks volumes about our society and where we are in this time. Wow
Bridget Kelly: Race is an issue, but it’s not THE issue here. A child was murdered. A life was taken. And there is no justice served. Unacceptable.
Nelly: Holy sh#t….. WTH just happen AMERICA ????
Nicki Minaj: What are your thoughts? @BarackObama We’re allowed to disregard 911 operators, pursue and kill ppl now? But send lauryn hill to jail 4 TAXES … May God console the Martins at this time; as well as every other family that’s gone through this type of injustice.
LoLa Monroe: How devastating!! Praying for Trayvon’s mother and family..! Wow
Leah LaBelle: im sorry. this is unreal to me. im literally heart broken. sending so much love out to the family & loved ones of Trayvon Martin. i am speechless.
Missy Elliott: @Timbaland Wow! Smh! Its like Living in the Last Days! #speechless
Cassie: So sad. No words. #JusticeforTrayvon
Q-Tip: This is worse than Rodney king So crazy
Tamar Braxton: Going to bed. This has ruined my whole night. 🙁 #JusticeForTrayvon
Miguel: shame, reputation always gets the benefit of the doubt. harsh reality. #Trayvon
Miley Cyrus: I feel sick. #RipTrayvonMartin
Russell Simmons: Prayers for the Martin family. … Only God knows what was on Zimmerman mind but the gun laws and stand your ground laws must change.
will.i.am: What’s wrong with the world mama!!! #whereIStheLOVE #zimmermanVSamerica
Christina Milian: Sad.. The Florida court system made a major fail. #RipTrayvonMartin #JusticeForTrayvon.. So unfortunate things like this happens everyday
Earl Sweatshirt: disheartening news
?uestlove: i need healing. i wanna be responsible & a model example but there’s this voice in my head laughing like “pssh told you that you aint shit”
Lil’ Kim: #riptrayvonmartin Very sad. I just heard about the verdict. We need justice.
Kelly Rowland: #Disappointed. literally in tears right now, over the way a KILLER was found not guilty!!?KeepingTrayvon’s family in my prayers! In shock!
Azealia Banks: It is a very sad day. They ACTUALLY put Michael Vic in jail for killing some damn dogs, and they let Zimmerman free after killing an innocent child.
Omarion: SMH! #RipTrayvonMartin it’s sad how history continues to repeat itself.The ultimate judge [Jehovah God] will serve justice believe that!
The Game: I feel for his parents & family…… Lord knows my heart couldn’t hold the amount of pain they’re drowning in. #RIPTrayvonMartin
Ciara: Whenever Some One Has Done Wrong, They Will Have To Face It. No Matter What. God Will Handle It. For There Is No Power Greater Than His.
Lupe Fiasco: Nobody knows what really happened except trayvon and Zimmerman. The justice system relies on reasonable doubt not our emotions. The case should have never been televised as the potential to antagonize US race relations was, in my dumb, opinion too risky & unnecessary
Kim Kardashian: “My heart goes out to Trayvon Martin’s family & loved ones. Thought & prayers being sent their way #NoJustice”
Ellen Page: “If u really believe racism isnt a massive problem, that the oppression of minorities is not a horrific and systemic issue. U R in denial.”
Mia Farrow: “I don’t understand this. At ALL”
Steve Harvey: “A Child is Dead & The Man that Killed Him is Free & Again The Child is Black…My Country Tis of Thee?”
Richard Dreyfuss: “It’s 2013 and an American jury just acquitted a man who admitted to stalking and killing an unarmed child.”
Judy Blume: “Not surprised. But distraught. Saw ‘Fruitvale Station’ tonight. How ironic to come home to this verdict.”
Kate Walsh: “Zimmerman verdict sickens me.”
Kat Dennings: “I can’t handle this. All that really matters are Trayvon’s parents, and making sure nothing like this ever happens again.”
Olivia Wilde: “I feel sick.” She also sent a tweet at Ann Coulter, who tweeted “Hallelujah!” at the verdict. “.@AnnCoulter You are a hateful wench.”
Mandy Moore: “My heart is heavy…for all who knew and loved #TrayvonMartin. His life mattered. This is shameful.”
Russell Simmons: “I know many people are very upset about the verdict, but we must remain peaceful. No matter what, remain peaceful.”