US President Barack Obama has released a statement following protests today across America after the acquittal of security guard George Zimmerman.

Mr Zimmerman has been found not guilty of the manslaughter of 17-year-old unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin.

The six-member, all-woman jury deliberated for more than 15 hours over two days before reaching their decision late last night.

The case has sparked protests across the US over perceived bias in the criminal justice system.

Mr Obama's statement reads: The death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy. Not just for his family, or for any one community, but for America. I know this case has elicited strong passions. And in the wake of the verdict, I know those passions may be running even higher. But we are a nation of laws, and a jury has spoken. I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son. And as we do, we should ask ourselves if we're doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities. We should ask ourselves if we're doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis. We should ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, how we can prevent future tragedies like this. As citizens, that's a job for all of us. That's the way to honor Trayvon Martin.

Ed Goodman is a reporter with WIOD Radio in Miami, he says that despite the public reaction, Trayvon's family has accepted the verdict.