Geraldo Rivera: Hoodie Killed Trayvon Martin

Rivera compared the situation to NPR firing Fox News contributor Juan Williams for saying he was scared of Muslims at the airport because of the way they dressed.

“That’s an automatic reflex,” Rivera explained. “When you see a black or Latino youngster, particularly on the street, you walk to the other side of the street. You try to avoid that confrontation. Trayvon Martin, God bless him. He’s an innocent kid, a wonderful kid, a box of Skittles in his hand, he didn’t deserve to die, but I’ll bet you money if he didn’t have that hoodie on, that nutty neighborhood watch guy wouldn’t have responded in that violent and aggressive way.”

Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy noted that New Yorkers on Wednesday had held a “Million Hoodie March” in support of Martin.

“You cannot rehabilitate the hoodie,” Rivera insisted. “I understand that the reaction might be overzealous or even irrational in some extent. You are not going to rehabilitate the hoodie. Stop wearing it!”

“There are some things that are almost inevitable. I’m not suggesting that Trayvon Martin had any kind of weapon or anything. He wore an outfit that allowed someone to respond in this irrational, overzealous way. And if he had been dressed more appropriately — I think unless it is raining out or you are at a track meet, leave the hoodie home.”