FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA, July 19: Florida must either repeal its “Stand Your Ground” self-defense law or enact sweeping changes to avert more tragedies like the fatal shooting of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin, Democratic leaders of the state’s legislature said.
A Seminole County jury Saturday acquitted George Zimmerman of second-degree murder and manslaughter, with one juror citing Stand Your Ground as a factor in reaching her legal conclusion that Zimmerman, who is white and Hispanic, acted in self-defense.
The Zimmerman verdict demonstrated the ramifications of the 2005 law, Florida Senate Democratic leader Chris Smith said.
“This bill actually encourages people to shoot their way
Out of situations and that’s not how we live in a civilized society,” Smith told a news conference. “It’s a mentality that has permeated the state of Florida. It’s a mentality of shoot first, and we should not have that in a civilized society.”
Smith was joined by Florida House Democratic leader Perry Thurston. Both called for a special session of the state’s Republican-dominated legislature to overhaul the law or consider doing away with it.
Unless Florida lawmakers act quickly, calls for a boycott of the state like the one voiced by Motown legend Stevie Wonder are likely to grow as part of a mounting backlash, they warned. Civil rights groups also are calling for changes in the law.
With the state legislature in recess, Republican Governor Rick Scott would need to convene a special legislative session.
Dozens of young demonstrators have been occupying part of Scott’s office in the Florida capital, Tallahassee, since Tuesday to press demands that he order the state’s lawmakers back to work to toss out or modify the law.
Scott said he met with leaders of the sit-in demonstration for the first time on Thursday night, but he indicated he had no plans to call a special session.
The governor stressed, however, that the demonstrators had a “right to share their views with their state legislators and let them know their opinions on the law.” (AGENCIES)
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