For those wishing George Zimmerman would just go away and stay out of the media, here’s some bad news.
On Tuesday, Feb. 18th, CNN plans to air an interview between the former neighborhood watchman and Chris Cuomo of “New Day.” In the previously recorded sit-down, the two discuss his acquittal and the killing of unarmed teen, Trayvon Martin. Cuomo also said that he asks why Zimmerman has been in the headlines since the verdict, questioning his quest for fame and fortune.
Horrifyingly enough, the media attention is the least infuriating detail of the interview. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Zimmerman tells Cuomo that the shooting of Martin doesn’t haunt him.
When asked why not, Zimmerman replied that he doesn’t know.
“It’s important to hear from the man at the center of it,” Cuomo said on “New Day.” “It was provocative. He gave us a lot of time. He wanted to deal with everything.”
Cuomo stressed that the interview wasn’t about re-trying the case. “We have a verdict. We know what that is,” the anchor said.
But as news of the interview spread, so did the backlash. Twitter user @FeministaJones sparked an online appeal to convince CNN not to air the segment.
DISGUSTING RT @NewDay: Tune in Tuesday @CNN as @ChrisCuomo interviews George Zimmerman: http://t.co/VfaBhWG8EM pic.twitter.com/eAlpTTsYAm
— Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
.@ChrisCuomo Chris, continuing to give this man airtime only helps him increase his “Celebrity” status. Imagine if Trayvon was your son — Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
Would you want the man who killed your son to continue to do news and other TV shows, being visible just bc he killed him @ChrisCuomo? — Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
Have you considered how traumatizing and triggering seeing his face on TV is for mothers of Black sons @chriscuomo? — Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
There is nothing that GZ has to say that is worth selling your soul and career out for an interview @chriscuomo — Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
There are so many missing children of color whose stories should fill the time you would waste interviewing a child killer @chriscuomo @CNN — Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
Others followed:
Hey @ChrisCuomo, what do you think #Trayvon‘s killer could say that would be “meaningful” to his parents? When will they be allowed peace? — April (@ReignOfApril) February 14, 2014
.@ChrisCuomo I will not watch, read or in anyway support @CNN due to attempts to keep Trayvon Martin’s killer in the public eye.
— Lilith (@GrimalkinRN) February 14, 2014
@ChrisCuomo @cnn very disrespectful to interview Zimmerman especially so close to the Dunn trial. Hope you cancel the interview
— Kokoa (@kokoa96) February 14, 2014
@CNN @ChrisCuomo Why are you giving a child killer a platform? This isn’t “journalism”, it’s ratings bait and disgraceful. — Jennifer (@JenniferinIN) February 14, 2014
@ChrisCuomo@NewDay@CNN Must you insist on terrorising #Trayvon‘s family? Why keep this circus going any longer? Cancel the interview. — Joseph Guthrie (@TheAuracl3) February 14, 2014
Shortly after, @FeministaJones created the hashtag #CancelTheInterview.
#CancelTheInterview because Trayvon’s family deserves peace and a life free of terrorizing reminders @ChrisCuomo — Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
#CancelTheInterview because you would know nothing of GZ had he not killed an innocent boy @ChrisCuomo — Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
#CancelTheInterview because killing children should not land you a cushy interview on @CNN @chriscuomo
— Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
#CancelTheInterview Bc Black lives matter. Our sons & daughters matter. Taking their lives should not be rewarded with airtime.
— Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
And a petition was created to stop CNN from airing the interview on Tuesday:
Petition: #CancelTheInterview https://t.co/hPjLaSZFLB
— Sarafeminista (@FeministaJones) February 14, 2014
I just signed. Send a msg to @CNN #CancelTheInterview & stop glorifying the murder of black children! http://t.co/rg5dLErmmj via @Change
— Divinity Matovu (@divinitymatovu) February 14, 2014
Sign the petition to #CancelTheInterview. https://t.co/K5SHCLkTDb George Zimmerman should not be treated like he’s some celebrity.
— Cheminacci (@ChemicalBassist) February 14, 2014
As of Friday morning, the petition had more than half of the supporters needed. To sign the petition and stop the Zimmerman/Cuomo interview, click here.
SOURCE: CNN, Orlando Sentinel, Twitter | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
