Obama urges calm in wake of Zimmerman verdict

US President Barack Obama on Sunday called for calm after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, saying his death was a tragedy and that the nation should seek ways to stem gun violence.

"We are a nation of laws and a jury has spoken," he said in a statement. "I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son." (Reuters)