MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry sat down with outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder for an extensive interview Friday covering a variety of topics including the federal civil rights investigation into the 2012 shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by a volunteer neighborhood watchman.
George Zimmerman was acquitted of murder in connection with the shooting, but the Justice Department is still investigating whether a civil rights violation took place. Historically, these are incredibly difficult cases for prosecutors to prove and many experts have said that federal charges in the case are unlikely. Holder told Melissa Harris-Perry, that he hopes to have the investigation resolved before he leaves office, which could be in a matter of weeks if congress confirms U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch as his successor.
“I will say there’s a report coming,” Holder told Harris-Perry. “But we will have to wait till it’s actually done and I have a chance to review it. But my hope is to get it done before the time I leave.”
Trayvon’s mother Sybrina Fulton was a guest on Melissa Harris Perry’s show on Saturday and said she looked forward to the Justice Department’s report and some type of closure. “Well, we’ve been waiting over a year to hear something. We’ve been in contact with the Justice Department but we haven’t heard either way,” said Fulton.
Fulton was recognized on “The Melissa Harris Perry Show” as the “footsoldier of the week” for her continued activism in honor of her son. She reflected on whether race relations have improved in the three years since her son’s death.
“I absolutely am hopeful that things will change. We didn’t get into this situation overnight and I don’t believe we’re going to get out of it overnight. I know it’s going to take time but it’s not going to take fifty years,” said Fulton.
On Saturday February 14th, Fulton will be joined by community activists and other families who’ve lost children to gun violence for the annual Trayvon Martin Peace Walk and Peace Talk in Miami Gardens, Florida. According to the website for The Trayvon Martin Foundation, “The gathering is a testament to the right that all people should be able to walk freely without being pursued, chased, profiled or shot and killed on their streets.” Martin’s 20th birthday would have taken place last Thursday on February 5th. You can see more of Eric Holder’s comments on the Trayvon Martin case and other key issues Sunday on “The Melissa Harris Perry Show” at 10 am eastern.
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