Attorney General Eric Holder addressed the NAACP’s annual convention this afternoon. The nation’s top law enforcement official could not resist addressing the not-guilty verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman. He also could not resist addressing “stand your ground” laws, despite the hard and immutable fact that such laws had no bearing on Zimmerman’s defense. Zimmerman claimed ordinary self-defense, and prosecution witness John Good probably locked the case up for him when he testified that he saw Martin sitting on top of Zimmerman that night pummeling him in a “ground and pound.” That testimony provided evidence that Zimmerman had no retreat available to him, and was not standing any ground at all. The ground was being used as a weapon against him.
The money quote from Holder’s speech will undoubtedly be this one: “We must stand our ground to ensure that our laws reduce violence and take a hard look at laws that contribute to more violence than they prevent.” He suggested that even ordinary self-defense and “gun violence” are the same thing in his eyes.
When Holder spoke the first phrase — “we must stand our ground” — he emphasized the “our” and the NAACP crowd erupted in applause. Also background music, for some reason.
In assaulting “stand your ground,” Holder lied directly to his audience, pandering to their rage at the verdict. He also hinted that the federal government will now bring its weight down on George Zimmerman. The show trial must, and will, go on.
Update: And go on it will. DOJ is soliciting tips to help it persecute Zimmerman in federal court.
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