07-29-2013, 11:48 AM
Civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson said Friday he also wanted a boycott of the state.
"We can boycott Florida, cut conventions in Florida, for its 'stand your ground' laws," said Jackson, speaking on a panel at the National Urban League's annual conference in Philadelphia. "If we can boycott South Africa and bring it down, we should boycott Florida and bring it down."
"Our children are not criminals, our children are not dogs, they have a right to walk in peace from 7-Eleven, to walk near gated communities, to walk anywhere they're legally able to walk without getting profiled and threatened," he said. "How do we prevent this from happening to our children? It's about changing these laws."
Trayvon's Martin's father, Tracy Martin, presented a concrete vision for how to change "stand your ground" earlier this week. In an emotional speech Wednesday before members of Congress, he asked lawmakers to consider a "Trayvon Martin Act" that would amend the law to make it illegal for a person to be the initial aggressor when using force in self-defense.
Several members expressed support of the act, including Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., who said the law served as "a clear and present danger to black men."
Full story:
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washing...our-ground
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Take a look at the SYG laws and amend them, if necessary. That makes sense to me.
But, boycotting the state of Florida over that statute is in no way comparable to boycotting South Africa over apartheid. Plus, Florida is only one of many states with SYG statutes. Jesse's definitely looking for some media coverage and off base here, imo.
As far as SYG and self defense laws serving a "a clear and present danger to black men", that's way under-reaching, imo. The same existing law applies to all potential victims and perpetrators whether they be black, white, orange... Holmes Norton is another one hopping on a band wagon and inserting race where it's not a factor, imo.
"We can boycott Florida, cut conventions in Florida, for its 'stand your ground' laws," said Jackson, speaking on a panel at the National Urban League's annual conference in Philadelphia. "If we can boycott South Africa and bring it down, we should boycott Florida and bring it down."
"Our children are not criminals, our children are not dogs, they have a right to walk in peace from 7-Eleven, to walk near gated communities, to walk anywhere they're legally able to walk without getting profiled and threatened," he said. "How do we prevent this from happening to our children? It's about changing these laws."
Trayvon's Martin's father, Tracy Martin, presented a concrete vision for how to change "stand your ground" earlier this week. In an emotional speech Wednesday before members of Congress, he asked lawmakers to consider a "Trayvon Martin Act" that would amend the law to make it illegal for a person to be the initial aggressor when using force in self-defense.
Several members expressed support of the act, including Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., who said the law served as "a clear and present danger to black men."
Full story:
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washing...our-ground
=================================================
Take a look at the SYG laws and amend them, if necessary. That makes sense to me.
But, boycotting the state of Florida over that statute is in no way comparable to boycotting South Africa over apartheid. Plus, Florida is only one of many states with SYG statutes. Jesse's definitely looking for some media coverage and off base here, imo.
As far as SYG and self defense laws serving a "a clear and present danger to black men", that's way under-reaching, imo. The same existing law applies to all potential victims and perpetrators whether they be black, white, orange... Holmes Norton is another one hopping on a band wagon and inserting race where it's not a factor, imo.