George Zimmerman's acquittal Saturday night on all charges in the killing of a black teenager, Trayvon Martin, sparked deep emotional reactions across the country Sunday, resurrecting an intense national debate about the role of race and racism in American life.
President Barack Obama declared Martin's killing an American tragedy but called for calm.
From church pews to street corners to the sprawling social-media universe, Americans expressed outrage, disgust and, in some cases, relief at the verdict. Rallies and vigils were held in Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles as well as in Sanford, Florida, where the killing and the trial took place. Others were scheduled in Boston, Detroit and Baltimore.