KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Some local church pastors are planning a prayer vigil Sunday evening to give people a chance to express their feelings about the George Zimmerman verdict.
Pastor Chris Miller of Kansas City’s Mercy Church spoke to FOX 4 News earlier Sunday and urged people to remain peaceful and not allow one act of violence to spark another.
When the verdict was read just after 9:00 p.m. Saturday, it shocked some and gave relief to others.
“I feel like justice was not served. I feel like the whole situation could have been avoided had Mr. Zimmerman not gotten out of his car and pursued the young boy,” Marva Watts of Kansas City, Mo., told FOX 4 News.
Watts said she was shocked by the verdict and doesn’t believe justice was served for Trayvon Martin.
Jay Rohde, also of Kansas City, said he was also surprised that Zimmerman was found “not guilty” on all charges. Rohde said he assumed Zimmerman would be found guilty of manslaughter, but despite that he believes justice was served.
“We have to believe in our justice system. It’s a horrible thing that happened,but we have to believe in our hearts that they jury made the right decision based on the evidence that they were given,” he said.
Whether you agree with the verdict or not, there are some who say it doesn’t matter.
Anglea Wildermuth of St. Louis, Mo., said Zimmerman may have been freed of the charges that were against him, but he will never be free.
“I just feel like whatever a person does, it’s going to be on their conscience and their soul and that can be enough punishment– just having to live with what they’ve done,” she explained.
While the verdict has brought out various feelings, Pastor Miller said he’s praying everyone will keep their emotions in check.
“The greatest tragedy we can experience now is in our response to a violent act that we didn’t feel justice was served is to create more violence,” he said.
Miller said he hopes people will embrace peace and forgiveness. That’s the purpose of Sunday night’s prayer vigil which is expected to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Kansas City’s Freedom fountain on Cleveland Avenue.