Uploaded January 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
October 2, 2013
The acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin unleashed a debate about self-defense, guns, and, most importantly, the role of race in the events surrounding Trayvon’s death as well as the courtroom. This panel proposes to unpack this debate and expose the assumptions surrounding the colorblind framing that largely drove the discussion. Questions to be considered include: Was the verdict a foregone conclusion? How did stand your ground law play a role in the case? What is the significance of the case and the verdict in the broader context of societal violence and use of force by private and public actors?
Panelists:
Sherod Thaxton, Assistant Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
Robin D.G. Kelley, Gary B. Nash Professor of American History, UCLA Law
Peter Bibring, Adjunct Faculty, UCLA School of Law; Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU of Southern California
Addie C. Rolnick, Associate Professor of Law, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Moderator:
Kimberlé Crenshaw, Distinguished Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
October 2, 2013
The acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin unleashed a debate about self-defense, guns, and, most importantly, the role of race in the events surrounding Trayvon’s death as well as the courtroom. This panel proposes to unpack this debate and expose the assumptions surrounding the colorblind framing that largely drove the discussion. Questions to be considered include: Was the verdict a foregone conclusion? How did stand your ground law play a role in the case? What is the significance of the case and the verdict in the broader context of societal violence and use of force by private and public actors?
Panelists:
Sherod Thaxton, Assistant Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
Robin D.G. Kelley, Gary B. Nash Professor of American History, UCLA Law
Peter Bibring, Adjunct Faculty, UCLA School of Law; Senior Staff Attorney, ACLU of Southern California
Addie C. Rolnick, Associate Professor of Law, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Moderator:
Kimberlé Crenshaw, Distinguished Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
