South L.A. Councilman Bernard Parks on Tuesday introduced a resolution supporting the Department of Justice’s open investigation into the death of Trayvon Martin.

Parks said the resolution calls for the government to conduct an “objective and thorough” investigation into the circumstances of Martin’s death.

“There have been discussions as to whether these laws called 'Stand your ground' or 'Make my day' are appropriate as it relates to using common sense and judgment,” Parks said.

Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman claimed self-defense, and last Saturday a jury found him not guilty.

Parks credits Earl Hutchinson, president of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, for giving him the idea for the resolution. Hutchinson joined Parks at a press conference in support of the resolution’s passage.

“One of the things that we were really concerned about is public opinion has been galvanized — both pro and con in the aftermath of the Zimmerman verdict," Hutchinson said. "But we also know something else: political opinion counts too. Elected officials, we felt, needed to weigh in on it.” 

Hutchinson also urged the council to be among the first cities in the U.S. to demonstrate support for the investigation through passage of a resolution such as this one. He said several similar proposals are pending in other U.S. cities.

Representatives of the New Frontier Democratic Club were also present at the press conference. The resolution has yet to be scheduled for a vote.