Hillary Clinton: Zimmerman Verdict Brought 'Deep, Painful Heartache' to Many Americans

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addresses the 51st Delta Sigma Theta National Convention in Washington, Tuesday, July 16, 2013. Credit: AP

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) -- Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday offered prayers for the family of Trayvon Martin, the Florida teenager who was killed last year, and "every family who loves someone who is lost to violence." She said the verdict brought "deep, painful heartache" to many Americans.

"No mother, no father, should ever have to fear for their child walking down a street in the United States of America," Clinton told 14,000 members of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, a historic black women's organization celebrating its 100th anniversary.

It was her first public comments on the case since George Zimmerman's acquittal in the Martin case. The Justice Department has said it's considering whether federal prosecutors should file criminal civil rights charges after Zimmerman's acquittal.

Clinton also said Tuesday the future of the Voting Rights Act is in "real jeopardy" following the Supreme Court's decision striking down a portion of the law, telling the prominent organization of black women that Congress should act to preserve "fairness and equality" in the nation's voting system.

The former secretary of state was feted with chants of "Run, Hillary, Run," as she concluded her 30-minute remarks.

Clinton, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, said the Supreme Court's decision "struck at the heart" of the landmark law and warned that it could undermine Americans' most fundamental rights.

"Unless Congress acts, you know and I know, more obstacles are on their way," Clinton said, walking freely on stage instead of delivering her speech from a podium. "They're going to make it difficult for poor people, elderly people, working people, minority people to be able to do what we should take for granted."

Featured image via AP

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