U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) called today for the arrest of George Zimmerman, the gun-toting self-appointed neighborhood watch commander, who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teen, nearly one month ago.
Wilson’s remarks kicks off a series of daily House floor speeches calling for an arrest.
Below is the transcript of her remarks:
“Madam Speaker, Trayvon Martin was a 17-year-old young boy who lived in my district and attended school within walking distance of my home. I have known his family most of my life, and they are pleading, begging, crying for justice. The whole city of Miami is pleading for justice as they try to remain calm.
Every day, every day I will come to this floor and announce to America how long justice for Trayvon Martin has been delayed by using this charge.
Today marks the 25th day. Trayvon Martin was murdered 25 days ago, and still there has been no arrest. The evidence is overwhelming. Every single day new evidence emerges, and still there is no arrest.
To date, the FBI, the DOJ, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, FDLE, and the State Attorney’s office are all involved in investigations surrounding his death. And still there has been no arrest.
What does it take? What more does it take?
The eyes of people pleading for justice in this Congress and everywhere I go are watching Sanford, Florida. The grand jury has been selected, and the grand jury is not reflective of Trayvon’s family nor Trayvon. That must be corrected immediately.
I’ve heard from Trayvon’s family. I’ve heard from his brother, his uncle, his classmates, his teachers, community leaders, the school superintendent. I even spoke to his mother again late last night. Everyone is calling for justice.
What happened to Trayvon was a classic example of racial profiling, quickly followed by murder of our dear, sweet Trayvon Martin.
Do you know that it took three days, three whole days for the police to release Trayvon’s body from the morgue to be shipped to Miami for burial and the funeral, simply because the Police Department would not submit the necessary paperwork?
Sanford Police, do your duty. Arrest the murderer today. Twenty-five days is much too long.
We must stand up for justice. We must stand up for Trayvon. And we must stand up for our children.
I yield back.”
