SANFORD, Fla. – Rev. Al Sharpton says he will be coming to Florida in the next few days in the wake of the George Zimmerman trial verdict.
Zimmerman, 29, was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
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Sharpton, president of National Action Network, posted a statement on his Facebook page.
The statement reads as follows:
"The acquittal of George Zimmerman is a slap in the face to the American people but it is only the first round in the pursuit of justice. We intend to ask the Department of Justice to move forward as they did in the Rodney King case and we will closely monitor the civil case against Mr. Zimmerman. I will convene an emergency call with preachers tonight to discuss next steps and I intend to head to Florida in the next few days."
Meanwhile, the families of Zimmerman and Martin are reacting on Twitter after the former neighborhood watch volunteer was cleared of all charges in the fatal shooting of the unarmed black teen.
Zimmerman's brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr., says his family is relieved that the jury found George Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter. He tweeted: "Today ... I'm proud to be an American."
Martin's parents, Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, were reserved but expressed their disappointment. Fulton expressed her faith in God, saying "Lord during my darkest hour I lean on you." Tracy Martin tweeted that he was broken-hearted, but that his faith is "unshattered."
The teen's brother, Jahvaris Fulton, said simply: "Et tu America?" -- a reference to the Latin phrase "Et tu, Brute?" known as an expression of betrayal.