President Obama issues powerful words to remember Trayvon Martin in response to the jury’s decision for the Zimmerman trial

The White House issued a statement from President Obama in response to the jury’s decision for the Zimmerman trial.

Obama states that Trayvon’s death is a “tragedy” and that “passion may be running higher,” in regards to Zimmerman being declared not guilty. Then emphasizes that the decision has been made and as a nation we are called to respect the jury’s decision, regardless if we disagree about the outcome. The disgruntled feeling will not change the jury’s decision; only ‘we’ can make change starting with our local communities.

Changes referred to were those of cracking down on gun violence and to ask ourselves of how to prevent further tragedies like Trayvon’s.

Only in this way will we honor Trayvon. Truly inspiring words from our president in a time of tragedy.

Read the full statement below.

“The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy.  Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America.  I know this case has elicited strong passions.  And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher.  But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken.  I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son.  And as we do, we should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities.  We should ask ourselves if we’re doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis.  We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this.  As citizens, that’s a job for all of us.  That’s the way to honor Trayvon Martin.”

– John Weber (@JohnPaulWeber)