Dem Rep. Bobby Rush escorted from House floor for wearing hoodie in honor of Trayvon Martin
Democratic Rep. Bobby Rush, of Illinois, was escorted off of the House floor on Wednesday after donning a hoodie and sunglasses in honor of slain teenager Trayvon Martin.
Rush, who began his remarks in a suit jacket and glasses, lamented the tragic death of 17-year-old Martin, who was killed last month by George Zimmerman, a volunteer member of a Sanford, Florida, neighborhood watch. Zimmerman, who has not been charged, claims he was defending himself.
Martin was unarmed and wearing a hoodie at the time of his death.
Trayvon Martin Shooting"Too often, this violent act that resulted in the murder of Trayvon Martin is repeated in the streets of our nation," Rush said in his statement. "I applaud the young people all across the land who are making a statement about hoodies, about the hoodlums in this nation, particularly those who tread on our laws wearing official or quasi-official clothes."
At this point in his remarks, Rush took off his jacket to reveal that he was wearing a hoodie underneath it. He covered his head with the hood, violating a rule in Congress that prohibits wearing hats on the House floor.
"Racial profiling has to stop, Mr. Speaker. Just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum," Rush added, swapping his spectacles for a pair of sunglasses.
At this point, Rep. Gregg Harper, a Republican congressman from Mississippi who was serving as the presiding speaker of the chamber, called Rush out of order. Rush continued reading a passage from the Bible before being escorted out of the chamber.
The hoodie has become something of a symbol during the national outcry which has followed Martin's death, especially among those who think the killing was racially tinged. Since then, protesters across the nation have joined in various so-called "Million Hoodie Marches" calling for justice for Martin's death and decrying racial profiling in America. Several members of the Miami Heat NBA basketball team also recently posed for a photo in hoodies, heads bowed, in tribute to Martin.
Yesterday, Martin's parents attended a House judiciary forum in Washington, D.C., in which Democratic lawmakers called for Congress to pass stronger laws prohibiting racial profiling, and urged state legislatures to repeal the so-called "Stand Your Ground" laws which have come under intense scrutiny in light of Martin's death.
Rush's office declined to comment on the incident further to CBS News.
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The issue isn't a hoody, it's a vigilante with a barney fife complex. Too bad he didn't have an Andy to keep him in check.
Bobby Rush has the mentality and intelligence of the gang bangers in his district in Chicago.
What an embarrassment he is to The House of Represenatives, the entire Congress and the Nation.
What a childish display buffoonery.
PBS had a Frontline story on this never ending violence and it only has to do because one person "Disrespected" another person.
B. Rush as no credibility to be making such a fuss over the Trayvon shooting when he can't even stop the black on black violence in his own Hood.
Yes even the Preseident who made a comment about Martin could be his son said nothing for the two UK white students... we have a racist Obama too who always takes the Black side.
Fairness and equal justice for citizens and equal representation by the media.
It is not about "who" is reported on...it's the reality that it IS reported on. Murder of/by peole of any race should be viewed abhorrent. Should my mother's, friend's son, who was a US Soldier, murdered in the streets of Philadelphia on leave be reported as well? I say yes, but you could probably care less...
The issue here is not WHO is murdered, it's that we live in a wealthy, violent country that has more murders than any other industrialized nation in the world. Why? Well, is there any relation to the serious economic inequalities that we possess? I say yes, you could probably care less.
Why do you NOT care about the cause of this incessant violence? There's no need to report on the violence...we all see it. From meaningless fights and scuffles, to the augmentation of the gang-class...come on. Really?
So would I stand to resolve the causes of the violence in our country and pretty much ignore the names of those who have died because of the effects of greed/crony-capitalism (far from free market capitalism)? For now? Yes...
You, however, seem to want to wash your hands of resolve, and focus on the edges (such as the inequality of race coverage in the media)...hmmm...you would say yes, but I could care less...
2) People who comply with authority figures are "normally" not shot. Police normally go out of their way to avoid using force unless they've been provoked by the suspects actions.
3) No one really knows what went on other than the police.
4) The video of Zimmerman doesn't show anything that could be used to prove anything definitely in a court of law.
5) If there was sufficent evidence to arrest Zimmerman the police would of already done so.
6) The media / special interest groups / famliy members appear to only be interested in personal gain.
7) At best Rep. Bobby Rush is seen as jumping on the media's band waggon for political gain. At worst he's an embarrassment to his constituents and should consider leaving office.
8) Should Zimmerman see a single day in court, he's very likely to win and just as likely to sue all the involved parties for defamation of character. (including the state / fed gov.)
The new prosecutor has indicated a belief still not final that the old prosecutor erred in not issuing an arrest warrant.
Even George's 911 call and Trayvon's call to his girl friend both confirm that George was known to be following Travyon in a threatening manner and further confirm Trayvon's attempt to evade George's pursuit.
What really matters here is what can be proved.... so far very little. Which is why the first DA didn't issue a warrent, why the other DA seams to have a political agenda or pressure.
1) Being willing to look at all sides of an issue is critical to rational thinking. Meaning, don't bash others opinion until you at least look at the rational for it.
2) This is a terrible tragedy but the whole racial/hate crime topic has been way overblown imo. The odds are that this had nothing to do with a race/hate crime (time will tell). We have a presumption of innocence in this country and legal system to follow. Just because the process isn't moving "fast enough" for you, that's not justification for the demagoguery and associated visceral, mob mentality being displayed. Remember, innocent until "proven" (by more than popular opinion) guilty...
3) Are people even aware that until this goes through a trial only know about 80% of the "facts" will be released?... You can't make a complete determination without "the rest of the story". Remember the west Memphis 3 & Duke Lacrosse cases where everyone was "convinced" everyone was "convinced" were guilty?... One of 100's of cases where people had it all "figured out" (till they didn't...) ...
4) I understand the point about not liking a dead boy's name being dragged around but people also need to understand that when you have a case like this the character of the other person (black, white, Asian, whatever) is going to come into play as part of the defense. Also, if your child was Zimmerman would YOU want people using "assumptions and interpretations" to prejudge, threaten, and convict him OR would you want them to wait for "all" the facts to come out?... I bet it's the later.. It's bad both ways but that's what has to happen in a case like this.
http://theindependentmoderate.blogspot.com/2012/03/facts-furor-and-demagoguery-surrounding.html
The video that came out now shows that Zimmerman fabricated is story. As troubling as that may seem, what is even more troubling is that the Sanford police department is definately covering up for this murderer. The question that need to be asked is what has the Sanford police department have to hide for them to go to this length to participate in this level of cover-up?.
The sad thing about it is that they have done a bad job of covering up their mess.
Enough is enough. Zimmerman need to be arrested right away. After this vedeo, all the police officers who were involved in this case also need to be arrested. They are giving hard working, and decent police officers all across this country a bad name. Any one that covers-up a murder case and try to distort the evidence is a criminal.
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/trayvon-martin-case-exclusive-surveillance-video-george-zimmerman/story?id=16022897#.T3PM8GGF9CA