George Zimmerman is suing Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg for $265 million, claiming both 2020 Democratic presidential candidates defamed him while making comments about Trayvon Martin’s death.
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, was acquitted in the 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon, who was walking home from a Sanford, Florida, convenience store.
The lawsuit claims the two Democratic presidential candidates defamed him while paying tribute to Trayvon Martin on what would’ve been Trayvon’s 25th birthday.
“Trayvon Martin would have been 25 today. How many 25th birthdays have been stolen from us by white supremacy, gun violence, prejudice, and fear? #BlackLivesMatter,” Buttigieg tweeted.
This message garnered 42,000 likes, 13,300 replies and 6,600 retweets in just three days, according to the lawsuit.
My heart goes out to @SybrinaFulton and Trayvon's family and friends. He should still be with us today.
We need to end gun violence and racism. And we need to build a world where all of our children—especially young Black boys—can grow up safe and free. https://t.co/9lXXlRnvzL
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 6, 2020
“My heart goes out to [Martin’s mother] @SybrinaFulton and Trayvon’s family and friends. He should still be with us today. We need to end gun violence and racism. And we need to build a world where all of our children-especially young Black boys-can grow up safe and free,” tweeted Warren.
Zimmerman has contended that the shooting was in self-defense and was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the Martin case in 2013.
