You are parsing words. Initiating contact is not illegal, as long as it is not physical contact.
The question has always been: who first attacked the other physically. Zimmerman says it was Martin. The police say the physical evidence is consistent with Zimmerman's story.
Martin's family and supporters basically say that Martin could not have attacked Zimmerman because Martin was black and 17, or they claim that someone following you and asking why you are in a place is grounds to attack them.
If Zimmerman was the first to physically attack Martin, then Zimmerman would have a difficult time with a self defense claim. We simply have no evidence that he did that. We only have conjecture.
As I said, simply touching another person would be considered assault. Zimmerman didn’t have to throw a punch or anything to be considered at fault.
As I said, if a random person, who does not identify himself, comes up to me and even touches me on the shoulder and asking questions, seemingly without reason, I am going to be concerned for my safety as there would be no reason for anybody else to be doing that. as far as I know in that situation.
If I tried to walk away and that person tries to stop me, as far as I know, because I don’t know who this guy is, my life is in danger and I am going to act under that assumption.