Seventeen months after the fateful day that George Zimmerman shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, allegedly out of self-defense, a verdict has been reached about whether or not Zimmerman's actions were criminal or justified. CBS News reported that following almost three weeks of testimony in one of the most heated cases of the year, the jury found Zimmerman not guilty of both second-degree murder, and not guilty of manslaughter. It wasn't long before the announcement of the verdict, that the social media world was lit up with sentiments from both sides of the spectrum: those who agree, and those who are outraged by it.
Here are Tweets from celebrities expressing their feelings about the decision:
George Stephanopoulos:
After a gut-wrenching trial + George Zimmerman’s acquittal, I get reaction from #TrayvonMartin’s family lawyer Ben Crump on @ThisWeekABC
— GeorgeStephanopoulos (@GStephanopoulos) July 14, 2013
Larry Elder:
When Zimmerman sues NBC for editing the dispatch call to make him seem racist, his demands should include a public apology from @TheRevAl.
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) July 14, 2013
Danny Zuker:
When Zimmerman sues NBC for editing the dispatch call to make him seem racist, his demands should include a public apology from @TheRevAl.
— Larry Elder (@larryelder) July 14, 2013
David Axelrod:
...the undeniable fact is that none of this would have happened if an emboldened George Zimmerman were not carrying a gun that night. 2/2
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) July 14, 2013
Rev Jesse Jackson Sr:
We must not shift our sympathy from Trayvon to Zimmerman. The Department of Justice must intervene.
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) July 14, 2013
Nicki Minaj:
May God console the Martins at this time; as well as every other family that's gone through this type of injustice.
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 14, 2013
Busta Rhymes:
RT @TatWza: Gun Used To Murder Trayvon Martin Will Be RETURNED To Zimmerman?!?! - http://t.co/9eRDoy20Ju #IFWT
— Busta Rhymes (@BustaRhymes) July 14, 2013
Piers Morgan:
I don't criticise the jury - I criticise the law that enabled them to find George #Zimmerman not guilty of anything. #RIPTrayvon
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 14, 2013
If George #Zimmerman had not had a gun, he'd have never got out of his car that night, and Trayvon Martin would still be alive.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 14, 2013
Kevin Hart:
Obama said "Zimmerman free? No no no, not in my country!"
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart2ReaI) July 14, 2013
Rihanna:
This is the saddest news ever!!! #whatsjustice #pray4theMartinFamily
— Rihanna (@rihanna) July 14, 2013
Whoopi Goldberg:
My heart is with trayvon martins family tonight,so my focus on them. No one else really matters
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) July 14, 2013
Kate Walsh:
Zimmerman verdict sickens me.
— Kate Walsh (@katewalsh) July 14, 2013
Lena Dunham:
No. My heart is with Sybrina Fulton, Rachel Jeantel, everyone who loved Trayvon and has been sent the message that his life didn't matter.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) July 14, 2013
Donald Trump:
Zimmerman is no angel but the lack of evidence and the concept of self-defense, especially in Florida law, gave the jury little other choice
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2013
Michael Ian Black:
The only thing that surprised me about the verdict is that juries work on Saturdays.
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) July 14, 2013
Sophia Bush:
The wind is more than knocked out of me... My heart aches for this boy's family. Justice System? I don't think so. #justicefortrayvon
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) July 14, 2013
Russell Simmons:
I know many people are very upset about the verdict, but we must remain peaceful. No matter what, remain peaceful.
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) July 14, 2013
Judy Blume:
Not surprised. But distraught. Saw 'Fruitvale Station' tonight. How ironic to come home to this verdict.
— Judy Blume (@judyblume) July 14, 2013
Tom Arnold:
Dear Son, I love you and there is no shame in running away from creepy ass crackers. #nojustice
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) July 14, 2013