George Zimmerman's family has repeatedly spoken out in his defense against his portrayal as a villain in the media. But Zimmerman's brother, Robert Zimmerman Jr., has created a bit of a firestorm on Twitter with his bizarre defense on behalf of his sibling, comparing Trayvon Martin to an alleged killer.
Robert Zimmerman took to the social network on Sunday, sharing a photo of De'Marquis Elkins, a teen charged with the fatal shooting of a 1-year-old in Georgia, and Trayvon Martin flipping the middle finger.
@naacp @benshapiro @nra Alleged FBpics of 13mo. old Antonio Santiago's alleged killer & #TrayvonMartin #uncanny twitter.com/rzimmermanjr/s…
— Robert Zimmerman Jr (@rzimmermanjr) March 24, 2013
After inevitably starting a conversation around the post, Zimmerman responded to a tweet, challenging the liberal media's coverage of his brother's case and questioning why society thinks "blacks mightB risky."
.@therealpest @michaelskolnik - Lib media shld ask if what these2 black teens did 2 a woman&baby is the reason ppl think blacks mightB risky
— Robert Zimmerman Jr (@rzimmermanjr) March 24, 2013
Of course, some challenged his assertion, saying taking pictures while throwing up the middle finger does not make one dangerous. Zimmerman responded, holding the media accountable for its lack of adequate cover and portrayal of Trayvon Martin and his brother.
Both George Zimmerman and his family have maintained that the neighborhood watch volunteer had reason to fear for his life the night of his fatal confrontation with the teen. Zimmerman's father has asserted that Trayvon threatened his son and attacked him, resulting in lacerations to the back of his head, a "closed fracture" of his nose, a pair of black eyes and a minor back injury, according to a medical report.
However, the debate has taken on obvious racial implications as many have asked whether George Zimmerman racially-profiled Trayvon Martin, and still numerous others have challenged the media's portrayal of Martin as an 'innocent victim.'
George Zimmerman is charged with second-degree murder, and is awaiting a trial date set for June 10, 2013.
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