Washington Informer

While police are clear that 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by Sanford, Fla. neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman, questions abound about how and why this unfortunate incident occurred. Clearly, law enforcement officials are protecting the accused and thereby protecting themselves against claims that, if proven, will show complicity in the effort to justify Martin's unjust death. It is yet another example of the lack of protection, by some law enforcement agencies, afforded to Americans who represent a different race, gender, age or sexual orientation. Susan Powell, whose husband was a suspect in her disappearance from her home in West Vale City, Utah, has never been found. Yet, despite police reportedly knowing about Josh Powell's lewd and lascivious acts, coupled with their suspicions that he may have been responsible for his wife's disappearance, he was still allowed supervised visits with their two young boys. During a recent visit, Powell hacked the children to death with a hatchet and the set the house on fire killing all three of them. Police are now determining the evidence uncovered nearly two years ago may be reason to believe that Josh Powell could be guilty of harming his wife. But her children are dead and it is presumed she is dead, as well. It's yet one of innumerable instances that prove how African-Americans and other people of color, women, children and LGBT members are all likely victims of poor and inadequate police protection, in spite of their calls for help. Of course, there are exceptions, but the assumption is that law enforcement is there to protect anyone, regardless of their differences. Powell eventually killed his own children and then himself; Zimmerman, who like Powell, remains a free man, has killed someone else's child. Based upon his excuse of self-defense, there could likely end up being another victim. How will Sanford police explain their actions then?