Zimmerman verdict: Civil rights groups express dismay

Have civil rights groups in the United States expressed dismay after neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman was convicted of the murder of black teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida last year.
Rights leader Jesse Jackson said he was "shocked" and that the Department of Justice (DoJ) to intervene.
Meanwhile, the family of Mr. Zimmerman lawyers said they now fear could face reprisals.
The case sparked heated debate in the U.S. about racial discrimination.
The prosecution had argued that Mr. Zimmerman opened fire on 26 March 2012, because it means that Trayvon Martin, who was African American and was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, while walking in the rain, was going up to no good.
Defender Don West: "The prosecution of George Zimmerman was embarrassing '
However, the defense said Trayvon shot in self-defense after the teenager had beaten his client, hit his head on the pavement and grabbed the gun from Mr. Zimmerman.Defense Ecstasy
Mr. Zimmerman is facing possible conviction for second-degree murder or manslaughter, but Saturday was acquitted of all charges by the jury of six women in the Criminal Justice Center in Sanford Seminole County, Florida.Continue reading the main storyIn the sceneDavid Willis BBC News, Sanford, Florida
The demonstrators gathered in the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center shortly after the jury retired to consider its verdict - a few dozen of them at first. Then, on the second day of deliberations, a larger and stronger group, whose numbers gradually began to grow. They sang and facing the window on the fifth floor of the courthouse, where the all-female jury considering its verdict.
Then, when signs of movement soon filled the window, the audience burst into a frenzy. The enthusiasm lasted less: As word spread them came the acquittal of George Zimmerman, a feeling of sadness - sometimes mixed with anger - fills the hot and humid summer night.
Police and community leaders in Central Florida have called for calm, but contingency plans were designed with more protests created when the verdict was met with a violent response.
One of his lawyers Mark O'Mara said the defense was "thrilled".
"George Zimmerman was not guilty of anything except to protect themselves in self-defense. I'm glad the jury saw it that way," he said.
Another lawyer, Don West, the prosecutor said, was "shameful".
"As happy as I am for George Zimmerman, I am glad that this tragedy held in front of this jury'm a farce," he said.
However, after the judgment, organized protest marches in U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington and Atlanta.
In Oakland, California, some demonstrators started small fires and smashed windows.
Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson told CNN Sunday: "I am to intervene by the decision of the Justice Department, was impressed by this to another level.".