Chattanooga: NAACP calls for end to racial profiling, harassment and intimidation

photo George Zimmerman speaks with one of his attorneys in this file photo.

Officials with the local chapter of the NAACP today called for an end to "systemic and institutional biases" that harm the community.

In a statement released two days after a Florida jury acquitted George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, NAACP leaders here it is time to stop the racial profiling, harrassment and intimidation that minorities endure from society in general and law enforcement.

"We as a society simply cannot stand for the unlawful targeting and murder of innocent civilians, and as witnessed in the Trayvon Martin death, our children, and in particular our young black children," the statement reads.

"Today we call for practical measures to be implemented that will help prevent the loss of another innocent life."

The chapter will meet Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at the Glenwood Recreation Center to discuss these issues, as well as protecting minorities' right to vote.

"We call for an end of the school-to-prison pipeline," according to chapter statement.

"We call on our communities to educate, not incarcerate. We call for the end of systemic and institutional biases that endanger our communities because of the hate, malice, and racism they produce.

"We call for the implementation of sensible gun laws.

"We call for very true and very real criminal justice reform throughout Chattanooga and Hamilton County."

Read more in tomorrow's Times Free Press.

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