George Zimmerman's Parents Launch Website

Parents asking for donations to help with relocation

The parents of George Zimmerman are following in their son's footsteps with a new website that tells their side of the Trayvon Martin shooting and asks for donations.

The website, robertandgladys.com, was recently launched by Robert and Gladys Zimmerman, NBC News confirmed.

According to a message posted on the site's homepage by Robert Zimmerman, they started it to give a description of their son, give updates on the family and ask for donations for their relocation in the wake of the Feb. 26 shooting.

"My wife and I have only requested prayers thus far and we have refused to accept any donations or payments whatsoever for any purpose. However, we fully realize that the peaceful, secure life we once knew is now just a memory," he writes. "Therefore, I am providing a link for those supporters who would like to leave us a personal message or contribute to our greatly increased living expenses, and our eventual relocation."

Complete Trayvon Martin Shooting Coverage

The lengthy message details the family's history and discusses the upbringing of George and the couple's other two children.

It also discusses threats the family has received following the shooting of Martin, 17, at a gated community in Sanford. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting of the Miami Gardens teen and had pleaded not guilty, saying he acted in self-defense.

Robert Zimmerman said he and his family were forced to relocate after receiving the threats as well as "constant media calls and visits."

"It has been an extremely difficult existence. It’s been a challenge getting hotel rooms when we can not provide our correct names, use credit cards, or produce any valid identification," the message said.

He adds that the portrayal of his son as a racist and murderer is untrue.

"Although the media and numerous self-serving individuals have continually portrayed George as a racist, vigilante, and even a murder, absolutely none of those names come anywhere close to representing the real George Zimmerman," he writes. "George has always been, and continues to be, a truly caring, loving, and selfless individual.

The launch of the website comes just a week after George Zimmerman relaunched his personal website, asking for donations for his defense fund.

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