On Wednesday's NBC Today, a report by correspondent Kerry Sanders featured a series of sound bites of public figures, all of them liberal, reacting to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin shooter George Zimmerman. Most of the statements focused on using Martin's death to call for the elimination of Stand Your Ground self-defense laws. [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]
Sanders began the slanted segment by highlighting protests against the verdict: "Four days after George Zimmerman was found not guilty of second-degree murder or manslaughter, the number of rallies in memory of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is growing....In Florida's capitol, dozens of demonstrators peacefully occupied the Governor's office....The Governor wasn't there, but they vow to stay until he gets back."
Sanders then proceeded to tee up each liberal proclamation on the topic:
SANDERS: Reverend Al Sharpton, an MSNBC host, announced plans to hold rallies in 100 cities on Saturday.
AL SHARPTON: We are not having a two or three day anger fit. This is a social movement for justice.
SANDERS: Meanwhile, on Tuesday, more signs that the verdict has become part of a national discourse, with Attorney General Eric Holder addressing Florida's controversial Stand Your Ground laws during a speech at the NAACP's annual convention in Orlando.
ERIC HOLDER: We must stand our ground to ensure that our laws reduce violence and take a hard look at laws that contribute to more violence than they prevent.
SANDERS: Tuesday night, Hillary Clinton brought up the verdict while speaking to an African American sorority group.
HILLARY CLINTON: No mother, no father, should ever have to fear for their child walking down a street in the United States of America.
SANDERS: At a concert in Canada, Stevie Wonder told the crowd he's boycotting areas where Stand Your Ground is law.
STEVIE WONDER: Wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world.
Sanders did briefly take note of those who supported the outcome of the trial, but only to mention: "As for George Zimmerman, despite having many supporters, his legal team says he's in hiding and getting death threats."
While Sanders noted Zimmerman's "many supporters," the network has failed to have any of them on as guests to discuss the case since the verdict was read Saturday night.
On Monday's Today, the guest lineup included Sharpton, fellow left-wing MSNBC host Toure, and equally left-wing MSNBC analyst Michael Eric Dyson.
Here is a full transcript of Sanders' July 17 report:
7:00AM ET TEASE:
MATT LAUER: In hiding. George Zimmerman freed by a court but now fearing for his life, as more jurors speak out about the verdict that's lead to a fourth straight night of protesting.
7:06AM ET SEGMENT:
LAUER: We're following some new developments tied to the acquittal of George Zimmerman, including new protests and a new statement from some members of that jury. NBC's Kerry Sanders is in Sanford, Florida again this morning. Kerry, good morning to you.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Zimmerman Verdict Fallout; More Protests as Jurors Speak Out]
KERRY SANDERS: Well, good morning, Matt. The state has yet to calculate how much it cost to prosecute George Zimmerman, but the price tag may be going up as the defense team tells me they now plan to present a portion of a bill of what it cost them to get George Zimmerman acquitted. This as there was yet another night of protests.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN [PROTESTOR]: What do we want?
CROWD: Justice!
SANDERS: Four days after George Zimmerman was found not guilty of second-degree murder or manslaughter, the number of rallies in memory of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is growing. In Los Angeles, protestors were mostly orderly as more police were on the streets.
PROTESTORS: The world is ours. The world is ours.
SANDERS: In Florida's capitol, dozens of demonstrators peacefully occupied the Governor's office.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN [PROTESTOR]: We are here because Trayvon cannot be.
SANDERS: The Governor wasn't there, but they vow to stay until he gets back.
AL SHARPTON: We are hear this morning-
SANDERS: Reverend Al Sharpton, an MSNBC host, announced plans to hold rallies in 100 cities on Saturday.
AL SHARPTON: We are not having a two or three day anger fit. This is a social movement for justice.
SANDERS: Meanwhile, on Tuesday, more signs that the verdict has become part of a national discourse, with Attorney General Eric Holder addressing Florida's controversial Stand Your Ground laws during a speech at the NAACP's annual convention in Orlando.
ERIC HOLDER: We must stand our ground to ensure that our laws reduce violence and take a hard look at laws that contribute to more violence than they prevent.
SANDERS: Tuesday night, Hillary Clinton brought up the verdict while speaking to an African American sorority group.
HILLARY CLINTON: No mother, no father, should ever have to fear for their child walking down a street in the United States of America.
SANDERS: At a concert in Canada, Stevie Wonder told the crowd he's boycotting areas where Stand Your Ground is law.
STEVIE WONDER: Wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world.
SANDERS: As for George Zimmerman, despite having many supporters, his legal team says he's in hiding and getting death threats. The Zimmerman verdict reminds some of another Florida defendant, Casey Anthony. Found not guilty of murdering her two-year-old daughter Caylee.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Zimmerman Verdict Fallout; What's Next for Controversial Defendant?]
CHENEY MASON: A long time of misery.
SANDERS: Cheney Mason represented Anthony.
MASON: She can't be seen out in public, she can't go out and have an ordinary life. I think George Zimmerman's life is going to be in a parallel situation for a long time.
SANDERS: The pistol that George Zimmerman used to shoot and kill Trayvon Martin is no longer evidence. It's been handed by the court back to the police department. And while George Zimmerman is entitled to pick it up, his defense team says it's unlikely he'll want it. Matt.
LAUER: Alright, Kerry Sanders in Florida this morning. Kerry, thank you very much. Want to let you know that tomorrow on Today, Trayvon Martin's parents will be here speaking out in their first live interview since the George Zimmerman verdict. That's tomorrow here on Today.
