Protesters unhappy with Zimmerman verdict getting out of hand

For the first time since the Zimmerman verdict, Trayvon Martin’s parents made the rounds in the talk-show circuit Thursday. They spoke about their grief, about their child, and about their disbelief at George Zimmerman’s not-guilty verdict.

But what they didn’t talk about are the violent, disruptive protests wracking the nation. While most of the protests have been peaceful, a violent minority have broken off from the mainstream and are becoming more and more active.

Houson’s Click 2 News covered a group of protesters that took to the streets and blocked a freeway while Georgia (who didn’t want her last name released) was on her way to the hospital.

Georgia was with her daughter, who was driving her granddaughter to the emergency room for a bad allergic reaction. When the protesters stopped cars on the freeway, the women tried to drive on the grassy shoulder, but they were blocked again.

“I looked up and I see all the protesters, they’re everywhere,” Georgia told reporters. “So, we got into the traffic and they’re stopping us and not letting us go.”

When she rolled down her window to try to reason with protesters walking on the road, one of the grabbed her through the window and started hitting her.

“And you see that from the news helicopter: on of the Trayvon protesters grabs the arm of the grandma who’s leaning out the window,” said Dori. “And he tried to open the back door of this minivan, but thankfully, it was locked.”

Georgia also saw an ambulance caught in the march that couldn’t move until protesters passed.

Dori faulted media professionals so focused on the trial as a major factor contributing to the frenzy in the aftermath of the verdict. The media convicted George Zimmerman long before he came to trial, and now that he’s free, protesters are out for blood.

“The media that is presenting this story from only one perspective is doing, not only a disservice, but is dangerous right now in cities all across this country,” said Dori.