George Zimmerman was found not guilty of second-degree murder or manslaughter after he fatally shot Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African-American teenager, last February. Zimmerman said he shot Martin out of self-defense after Martin repeatedly punched him and slammed his head into the sidewalk, The New York Times reported. The six-person, all female jury acquitted Zimmerman late Saturday night. Nearly 50 Dartmouth community members gathered on the Green to protest the decision on Sunday evening, joining nationwide rallies. The Dartmouth event started with a brief introduction from organizer Nina Rojas '13. The protesters proceeded silently around the Green and through town holding signs with slogans such as "Justice for Trayvon" and "I don't feel safe anymore." They clustered around town hall and drew onlookers, then returned to Collis Center lawn. In front of Collis, the group sang Civil War songs including "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around" and chanted "No justice, no peace." History professor Russell Rickford was the first to address the crowd, followed by other students, faculty and community members.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont permitted a jury to determine the major parts of Jennifer Connors' claims against Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, according to court documents released on July 11. Connors is suing DHMC on the grounds that she was discriminated against because of her documented attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, saying that DHMC did not provide reasonable accommodations and that she was stigmatized for her condition. Parts of the lawsuit were dismissed, including claims against Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic and the Board of Trustees. Claims under noneconomic damages, such as emotional distress, were also dismissed. The case will be tried in the fall for claims of discrimination, illegal retaliation under the Vermont Fair Employment Practices Act, breach of contract and implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
College researchers on the Anytime Fitness project will receive a $243,000 grant for further research from the state, according to representatives from the office of Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H. The project conducts research in child health and fitness and uses television programs to promote healthy eating and exercise habits. Researchers are working with the Boston-based WGBH television company, to decide which programs successfully teach children about nutrition and fitness. The grant will be issued by the Eunice Kennedy Shiver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
