Trayvon Martin Petition Nears Signature Goal

Internet service would send request for investigation to Attorney General Eric Holder

An online petition asking for an independent federal investigation in the Trayvon Martin case was approximately 800 signatures away from meeting its goal, on Monday afternoon.

The signature drive, started with the Move-On.org’s Civic Action service “SignOn,” would deliver 3,000 signatures to the desk of Attorney General Eric Holder.

The petition prompt reads:

“Attorney General Holder, please order the Department of Justice to investigate the senseless murder of Trayvon Martin, and the blatant violation of his civil rights.”

To view the petition, click here.

On Monday, White House spokesman Jay Carney confirmed to reporters that President Barack Obama and other administration officials were aware of the case, but did not want to weigh in on a local law enforcement matter.

Carney was pressed further on it, but referred the inquisitive reporter to the Justice Department, which has not released a statement on the case.

[ALSO READ: White House Comments On Martin Case]

Local authorities have passed the case along to the Florida state attorney’s office, which is investigating whether charges should be filed against the shooter, 28-year-old George Zimmerman. Local FBI officials are also monitoring the case, Carney said.

The Sanford Police Department has reportedly angered Martin’s family for sitting on its hands about arresting Zimmerman, who has admitted to shooting the unarmed 17-year-old in self-defense.