President Obama broke his silence today regarding the ongoing Trayvon Martin murder investigation, reports The New York Times. Before he addressed the crowd of reporters at the White House, he warned his comments would be limited because the Justice Department is investigating.
“I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this,” said the president. “All of us have to do some soul searching to figure out how does something like this happen.”
The president made it clear that Trayvon’s case hits home to many Americans, including himself — thinking about his own daughters. “Obviously, this is a tragedy. I can only imagine what these parents are going through. When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids,” he shared.
At the conclusion of his brief remarks, the president shared a “main message” to Trayvon’s parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton. “You know, if I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon. I think they are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves.” He also promised that authorities would get to the bottom of the matter.
Yesterday, the Sanford, Florida Police Chief, Bill Lee, “temporarily stepped down” from his position. He claims he’s become a distraction to the investigation. The news wasn’t surprising as the city’s commissioners gave him “no confidence” votes the evening before.
On Wednesday, hundreds of supports gathered in New York City’s Union Square to participate in the “Million Hoodie March” organized on Facebook.