Florida Courier - July 12, 2013

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JULY 12 - JULY 18, 2013

VOLUME 21 NO. 28

IN THE JURY’S HANDS The parents of Trayvon Martin, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, arrive in the courtroom during the last week of George Zimmerman’s trial in Sanford.

Benjamin Crump

Rev. Al Sharpton

Another Trayvon rally? Thousands may go to Sanford from Orlando BY JAMES HARPER FLORIDA COURIER

POOL PHOTO BY JOE BURBANK/ ORLANDO SENTINEL/ MCT

Editor’s note: This story was written as of the Florida Courier’s press time late Wednesday night, prior to the end of the trial. Check flcourier.com for updates. BY JAMES HARPER FLORIDA COURIER

SANFORD – George Zimmerman’s defense team wrapped up its case as the Florida Courier was going to press with Zimmerman deciding not to testify in the second-degree murder trial. Prosecutors began calling rebuttal witnesses after Circuit Judge Debra Nelson denied a renewed motion by the defense to acquit Zimmerman. The defense rested after that ruling. Before being sent home for the evening Wednesday, jurors were told that they may hear closing arguments from the prosecution on Thursday and from the defense on Friday, followed by jury

More than 200 people attended a town hall meeting at Allen Chapel June 24 organized by the Seminole County NAACP Branch. They were praying instead of protesting, and it was then they decided to continue praying at least every Monday at noon at area churches. Allen’s membership has almost 700 on its rolls, including the city’s NAACP branch president, Turner Clayton, and the city’s only Black city commissioner, Velma Williams. The first call to prayer at the church July 1 was cancelled due to a funeral. Allen’s church members were reminded by Pastor Valarie Houston to attend the instructions and deliberations. call to prayer scheduled the next Monday, July 8. But fewer than 10 people In Sanford showed up for the noon prayer. Allen Chapel AME Church has been Houston has been Allen’s pastor for ground zero for Sanford’s Black resi12 years. She told the Florida Courier dents to organize since Martin was killed on Feb. 26, 2012. See TRIAL, Page A2

As George Zimmerman’s trial ends, Floridians watch, wait, and prepare for the verdict. But is riot preparation really necessary?

Celebrating one of their own

It’s possible that thousands of NAACP members may descend on Sanford where the George Zimmerman trial is winding down. Coincidently, the civil rights organization is holding its national convention in Orlando on July 12-17 at the Orange County Convention Center, less than 20 miles from the city where Zimmerman is on trial in the murder of 17-yearold Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman killed Martin, who was unarmed, as he walked from a convenience store on his way back to his father’s Sanford home.

Waiting on verdict NAACP Director of Communications Derek Turner confirmed to the Florida Courier that the organization always planned some kind of demonstration to show support for Martin’s family, but was waiting until the verdict was rendered so their actions wouldn’t have any

SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER

Members of the University of Florida’s Association of Black Alumni congratulate Fort Lauderdale native (and UF graduate) Eugene K. Pettis, center, after he was sworn in as Florida Bar president. Pettis now leads the organization governing more than 96,000 lawyers licensed to practice law in the state, the third largest state bar association in the nation.

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influence on the trial or on jurors. Turner said at least 3,000 people are expected to attend this year’s convention. “We didn’t anticipate the verdict taking place the same time as our convention,” Turner said, adding that NAACP leaders including President Ben Jealous and others will be making a trip to Sanford at some point during the convention. Turner said plans are under way for what will be a peaceful demonstration there, whether Zimmerman is found guilty or not guilty. He would not release any details.

Sharpton, Crump to speak Turner also noted that National Action Network President Rev. Al Sharpton will be one of the featured speakers on Wednesday, along with Martin Luther King, III and Congressman John Lewis during the closing program of the conference. Sharpton was called in to help nationalize a local Florida movement to put pressure on law enforcement officials to arrest and prosecute Zimmerman. See RALLY, Page A2

Daytona International Speedway looking to do business BY JAMES HARPER FLORIDA COURIER

FLORIDA | A3

Derek Turner

DAYTONA BEACH – Daytona International Speedway is looking for minority, women and local contractors for its $400 million renovation project of the frontstretch at the track. Barton Malow, the contractor for the construction project, will be hosting an outreach event July 17 in the Bill France Room at the Daytona International Speedway (DIS) Ticket & Tours Building, 1801 West International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. “If you are a Florida minority or woman-owned business, or if you are a local Volusia County construction trade, please join the Barton Malow/ Rossetti team to discuss possible opportunities on this project,” according to a press release sent to the Daytona Times, the Flori-

da Courier’s sister newspaper. Interested contractors are asked to RSVP to linda.hughes@bartonmalow. com or call 386-681-4800. No more than two persons are asked to represent firms interested in working on the project. All attendees must sign a confidentiality agreement prior to the event.

Taking action The outreach event came about after the Florida Courier and the Daytona Times published stories in April and May about minority contractors who try to participate in major construction projects like the one DIS is undertaking. After reading the series, Lenny Santiago, a DIS spokesman, contacted the Daytona Times in April and said DIS “intends to implement a coSee SPEEDWAY, Page A2

COMMENTARY: MARGARET KIMBERLEY: IF GEORGE ZIMMERMAN GOES FREE... | A4 COMMENTARY: REV. JESSE JACKSON: OBAMA SHOULD LEAD FIGHT TO REVIVE VOTING RIGHTS ACT | A5


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