Law enforcement agencies in several Florida counties have joined forces to plot a course of action in case George Zimmerman’s murder trial wraps with a not-guilty verdict and outraged members of the public become violent.
The Broward County sheriff’s office released a video asking the public not to use their hands, but also explaining that they’ve reached out to other law enforcement agencies for contingency plans in case violence ensues.
“[We are] working closely with the Sanford Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies [to coordinate] a response plan in anticipation of the verdict,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement reported by Breitbart.com.
The video is called “Raise Your Voice, Not Your Hands,” and it includes information on how to divert and channel energies from violence to nonviolent forms of expression. One character in the video advises, “Let’s give violence a rest, because we can easily end up arrested,” Breitbart reported.
The trial in Seminole County has grabbed the attention of the nation, and activists in support of the 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, shot and killed in the February 2012 incident, have rallied outside the courthouse.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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