Trayvon Martin's mom: "We simply wanted an arrest"

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON - The parents of Trayvon Martin did not express joy on Wednesday after charges against George Zimmerman - the man who shot and killed their unarmed teenager - were announced more than a month after the shooting.

"We simply wanted an arrest," said Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon's mother, at a press conference.

Fulton and Tracy Martin, Trayvon's father, spoke briefly at in front of the press alongside Rev. Al Sharpton and their attorney, Ben Crump, after Florida State Attorney Angela Corey announced second degree murder charges against Zimmerman.

"This is just the beginning. We got a long way to go, and we have faith," Tracy Martin said.

Sharpton cautioned listeners to not celebrate at the charges against Zimmerman.

"We do not want anybody high-fiving tonight. There's no winners here. This is not about gloating. This is about serving justice. We are still mourning with this family," Sharpton said.

Earlier, Trayvon's parents said that charges against George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting their son would start the healing process, but they won't stop fighting until he's convicted.

Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton, told The Associated Press that right now she and Martin's father "can't get past our son being murdered and no one being arrested." His father, Tracy Martin, says it will be very important to also get a conviction.

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The family and their attorney, Ben Crump, have throughout the day put out calls for calm in the case.

"We don't need anybody taking these matters into their own hands," Crump said.

"I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, justice will be served" in her son's death, said Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton.

Sharpton said while everyone is angry, no one can be more angry than Martin's parents, "and if they can operate with dignity, we can operate with dignity," Sharpton said.

Trayvon Martin Shooting: A timeline of events
A profile of State Attorney Angela Corey

[doofus-slapper]

"OK, we don't need you to do that."

Even the special prosecutor stretches these words out to mean it was a direct order not to follow. If Trayvon had called 911 instead of trying to hide his face and evade Zimmerman's observation by changing direction and cutting between buildings, Zimmerman likely would have just kept following in his truck until police arrived. (Like one of Zimmerman's other 48 calls to police.) Perhaps Trayvon did not have a clue what a Neighborhood Watch Program was? My money would be bet that Trayvon was ******* with Zimmerman's head. Just like the teenagers that walk as slow as they can in the street while blocking vehicle traffic. I believe Zimmerman's friend that thinks Zimmerman snapped after being provoked.

[sjj1222]

We need to bring some good out of this terrible tragedy. The organization called ALEC has actively fostered the spread of??"STAND YOUR GROUND" laws to many states. These are the very same laws that led to the Trayvon Martin murder in Florida....laws that "allow" vigilantes to be judge-jury-and-executioners! Some mainstream corporations have funded ALEC. BUT... as their funding has been publicized, they have withdrawn their support. Call or write or email the following two ALEC supporters: JOHNSON??and JOHNSON, and STATE FARM ...or ....visit?www.pfaw.org/ditchALEC.?Please urge these two companies to their cut ties with ALEC.?Tell them that they should not want their brands associated with the dangerous laws ALEC promotes -- including voter suppression, NRA-backed "stand your ground" laws, extreme racial profiling laws targeting immigrants, privatizing public education and protecting corporate polluters. If you do not want YOUR hard earned money to be used AGAINST your best interests, then tell State Farm and Johnson and Johnson, in no uncertain terms:??DON'T FUND ALEC!

[Well_You_Aint_Me]

You simply wanted an arrest huh?

And if you don't get a conviction?

Why isn't there the same crying out for "justice" when it is a black ghetto kid killed by another black ghetto kid?

Al and/or Jesse want to field that question for us?

[bree1345]

Everyone has already convicted Zimmerman and he may get acquitted, the law is the law whatever it may be. Remember the Casey Anthony trial in FLA. This is going to be a nasty situation and the media isn't helping by fueling the protesters. My heart goes out to the parents and hope that the healing comes soon.

[Resin-Smoker]

So after Zimmerman is arrested, sent to trial and aquitted, he'll come looking for pay back via a lawsuit. The parents, the "Black Panthers" and the state of Florida will be named.

Best thing yet... this is all being done at the expense of Florida tax payers!

[thechooch1]

Resin-Smoker let's not put the cart before the horse, Zimmerman might not get acquitted. Maybe we should just wait for the trial.

[kainos2]

The parents want calm, but they also want a continuation of the angry, mob-like, predetermined guilty verdict that the public has effectively supported thus far.

[rwsmith29456]

I want to see a REAL investigation, official, not speculation. I feel like this is a step in the right direction.

[hharrison22]

I'm so glad to finally see this! Besides the obvious justice for Trayvon and his parents, I think it's monumental for the young people who ignited this fire in the beginning. It so important for our young people to see that their efforts actually made a difference. Remember, that young people are the ones who used social media to make everyone pay attention. And it worked! I talk about how important it is for young people to believe they can change the world here:

http://www.themommypsychologist.com/2012/03/22/zimmermann-2012/

[jahmartin-2009]

From what I understand, Trayvon's mother has applied to trademark her sons' name and image. It would seem she has presence of mind her grief.

[violist47]

Where did you get this story? I haven't found it anywhere.

[themanfrombrum]

Yeah, Troy's mother simply wanted an arrest, but she got more than that by telling everyone "thank ya Jesus, thank ya Lord" and Daddy got to say "I walk by faith and will continue to do!" It's it ironic how you can invoke the name of God in order to get what you want? And I bet you Rev Al got to whisper his Amens as well!