In the Trayvon Martin investigation, a George Zimmerman supporter says the NAACP and other groups are wrong when they claim Zimmerman is racist.
In a letter dated March 26, and made public now, it says Zimmerman rallied on behalf of a homeless black man who was beaten by the son of a Sanford Police officer.
News 13 has a copy of the letter and looks into the importance of this.
This letter talks about the case of Sherman Ware. He’s an African-American who was beaten by a Sanford officer’s son and prosecution was very slow, similar to the complaints being made in this case.
The letter says Zimmerman was one of the leaders speaking out against that, but a Martin family attorney questions it.
“The timing of this letter, it’s right before a grand jury and I believe that it’s very strategic propaganda,” explains attorney Natalie Jackson.
Jackson is representing the Martin family and believes this letter is meant to influence public opinion and the irony of slow prosecution on the part of the Sanford Police Department may be confusing.
But Jackson says the language used speaks for itself. She continues, “I haven’t counted it, but we’ve highlighted it and it’s numerous times. We’ve highlighted this letter with the 'black community' or 'race' or anytime that race has been brought into this.”
The letter says, “…there are ALWAYS two sides to every story. As African-Americans you can surely identify with that.”
And, “Do you know the individual that stepped up when no one else in the black community would? ... That person was GEORGE ZIMMERMAN.”
Jackson says the message in this is clear. “Divide the black community from the white community in Sanford, Florida but I think people are too smart for that,” adds Jackson.
We reached out to George Zimmerman’s legal team and have been told they will comment to News 13 next week. We plan to keep them to their word. We’ll let you know how that goes.
It’s not clear who sent the letter, as it is simply signed, “A Concerned Zimmerman Family Member.”