Pasadena state lawmaker: ‘Send a clear message,’ boycott Florida
Fallout from a Florida jury’s acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin may soon make its way to Sacramento.
Joe Piasecki reports that Democratic Assemblyman Chris Holden of Pasadena plans to introduce a resolution calling for California officials to boycott travel and business dealings with Florida until it repeals the controversial “stand your ground” law.
The resolution will be introduced when state lawmakers return from their summer recess on Aug. 5, the assemblyman’s spokesperson said.
In Florida, the “stand your ground” law allows a people to use deadly force if they fear bodily harm, even if they have the ability to flee.
While the law became a political flashpoint at the beginning of the case, Zimmerman’s attorney’s waived the right to invoke the law as a defense and instead argued their client acted in self-defense.
Still, Holden said he believes the “stand your ground” law makes Florida an unsafe place to visit.
“While sitting in a downtown Los Angeles courthouse waiting to be called for jury duty earlier this week, I thought, ‘What do we do now?’ … By boycotting Florida tourism, conventions and conferences we send a clear message that the death of an unarmed black teenager cannot be tolerated,” he said.
ALSO:
For 22 days, Zimmerman jurors lived in a law enforcement bubble
Civil rights leaders call for action after Zimmerman acquittal
Ridley-Thomas calls for federal prosecution of George Zimmerman
Twitter: @philwillon
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