California lawmakers urge boycott of Florida over Zimmerman verdict
Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus are calling for a boycott of Florida in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman on murder charges in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in that state.
Assemblywoman Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), chairwoman of the caucus, also called for peaceful protests over the verdict in the killing of the African American teenager.
“We can send the Sunshine State a message by refusing to patronize Florida,” Mitchell said in a statement. “We can use a nationwide boycott of Florida as our reasoned reaction to the injustice we feel as Americans when an innocent teen on his way home is trailed, apprehended and gunned down by an armed security guard in a housing development, and then found by a trial jury to be not guilty of second-degree murder.”
“It should be a long time before any of us feel remotely comfortable considering Florida as a destination for business or pleasure,” she added.
Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), another caucus member, said Wednesday that he will introduce a resolution that would have the California Legislature call for a repeal of Florida’s “stand-your-ground” law and urging a boycott of Florida.
“When I heard the verdict last weekend, I was disappointed and saddened,” Holden said in a statement. “Another young black child is dead and nobody is being held accountable. It is a true nightmare scenario for every black parent in America, and a sad commentary on racial injustice in this country.”
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