Trayvon Martin’s Family Issues Statement About Florida Senate Bill

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Sybrina Fulton, Tracy Martin and their attorney, Benjamin Crump, released a statement today regarding the advancement of a bill intended to change the state’s stand your ground law:

Tracy Martin & Sybrina Fulton

Today in Tallahassee the democratic process won out and a first compromise was reached,” said Attorney Benjamin Crump who represents Trayvon Martin’s family.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-2 to forward a bill that made some important changes to Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. This will ensure proper investigations are conducted even when Stand Your Ground is claimed, involve police and sheriff departments in training Neighborhood Watch programs and most importantly tighten the use of the law when aggressors claim it.

“I see this as an important first step in making sure that Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law properly protects victims and applaud the committee for taking this first step” said Crump. “In light of current events in Washington D.C., It is refreshing to see legislators compromising and working together so that Florida’s citizens are protected.”

“Tracy and I have said from the beginning that our hope is that the tragedy of Trayvon’s death can be turned into real change so that other parents don’t have to experience the grief we have endured” said Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin. “The work here is not done and we fear an uphill battle going forward to achieve real change in our son’s name. We encourage everyone to help us ensure real change for Trayvon occurs in Florida and other states across the country”.

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Dream Defenders Suspect Foul Play

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dream defenders logoThe Dream Defenders are prophetic young people with a vision. The activism group correctly predicted that, at a Judiciary committee hearing, Senate Bill 122, introduced by Senator Chris Smith (D-Fort Lauderdale), would be killed, and that SB 130 , filed by Senator David Simmons (R-Altamonte Springs), would pass – leaving a dangerous part of present stand-your-ground laws intact. That’s what happened today.

This kind of underhanded, deceitful, problematic, and insensitive law-making cannot and will not be tolerated by those who pay the salaries of and vote to elect officials sworn to act in the best interests of the people. It cannot and will not be tolerated by those who are against stand your ground laws.

We support you, Dream Defenders, for being such an inspiring force, salute you on a great video, and share your vision!

Here is a statement and video on YouTube that tells the story:

Two bills have been introduced that would make changes to Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. One bill, SB122, is by Senate Minority Leader Chris Smith. The other bill, SB130, is by Senate Majority Whip David H. Simmons.

The key difference between the two is that Chris Smith’s bill (SB122) attempts to fix the “No Duty To Retreat” loophole, which allows people to leave places of safety to aggress towards a perceived threat. This loophole empowers people to go out of their way to pursue violence.

It is likely that the Senate will attempt to kill Smith’s bill (SB122) and pass Simmons’ bill (SB130), which leaves “No Duty to Retreat” untouched.

‘No duty to retreat’ is one of the most problematic provisions of Stand Your Ground. Dream Defenders believe if there is an opportunity for retreat, there should be a duty to retreat as well. A society that isn’t encouraging a responsible ‘duty to retreat’ in public spaces is encouraging violence and recklessness.

A repeal of Stand Your Ground is central to the Dream Defenders’ package of legislation, Trayvon’s Law. If a full repeal is not possible, we support the best reform possible. We will examine and recommend changes to reform legislation with respect to legitimate concerns. – Dream Defenders

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Florida Senate Advances Changes In Stand Your Ground Law

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Tallahassee_Old_and_New_Capitols

UPDATE: Florida Hearing On Repeal Of Stand Your Ground Is Nov. 7th

For the first time since neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman’s acquittal in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, Florida’s Senate held a hearing on changes to the state’s controversial stand-your-ground law, and new guidelines for deadly force and self-defense by neighborhood watch groups were approved with a vote of 7-2

The Judiciary Committee hearing was held Tuesday on Senate Bills 130 , regarding deadly force, filed by Senator David Simmons (R-Altamonte Springs) and SB122, regarding self-defense, filed in August by Senator Chris Smith (D-Fort Lauderdale).

The two bills were combined into one, as SB130, by an amendment passed at the hearing. Simmons was one of the authors of Florida’s original infamous stand-your-ground law. The bill still has to go through three more hoops before it reaches the House: the Criminal Justice, Community Affairs, and Rules Committees.

The combined SB130  requires county sheriff or municipal police departments to issue guidelines for neighborhood crime watch programs. It gives guidelines on deadly force, providing that a person who is justified in using force is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action initiated by the person against whom the force was used; and providing that any reason, including immunity, used by an aggressor to justify the use of force is not available to the aggressor under specified circumstances.

state of florida senate emblem

The self-defense part allows police to authorize a person to use force, but not deadly force, in defense of property, providing that person is immune from civil action brought by whoever the force is used against, and providing that a law enforcement agency’s right is not restricted in investigating the use of force on which an immunity claim is based. The law also gives the Department of Law Enforcement power to collect, process, maintain, and disseminate information and data on all incidents concerning alleged justifiable use of force in Florida.

The legislation faces an uphill battle within the House of Representatives in the state known for underhanded politics. State Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach) was selected as Chairman of any House review, and has been infamously quoted as saying he will not change “one damn comma” in the state’s stand-your-ground law. And so far, every effort to change the law has been blocked.

Meanwhile, any Florida House hearing on HB 4003, the bill to repeal stand your ground, filed in August by State Representative Alan Williams (D-Tallahassee), will not take place this month, since Williams would not be available to attend due to other commitments.

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Stand Your Ground In Action: Dead Men Can’t Talk

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Stand Your Ground laws get people killed. It’s as simple as that. And dead men can’t talk, to give their side of the story.

A study released recently by the National Urban League and Mayors Against Illegal Guns found justifiable homicides increased by an average of 53 percent between 2005 and 2007 in 22 states that had passed stand-your-ground laws – while falling 5 percent in the rest of the country! In Florida, that number tripled.

In an editorial, the Chicago Sun-Times points out that we can’t tell how many of these cases involved people who may have mistakenly thought their lives were being threatened. Because dead men can’t talk.

The Sun-Times op-ed reports that, “part of the problem with the laws is that they encourage the George Zimmermans of the world to think they can enforce laws because they are carrying firearms…this is one area of the law that needs to be fixed soon.”

Some victims of someone who invokes stand-your-ground laws are lucky enough to survive. Other times, these laws can and do get people killed. And dead men can’t talk.

It’s happening from ARIZONA:

April, 2012 — A man driving out of a Taco Bell drive-thru gets into a shouting match with a mentally disabled man walking a dog. The driver pulls a gun, kills the man, and waits for police. He claimed the man swung at him with a bat or pipe, but it was a dog leash ↓

…to TEXAS:

July, 2013 — A confrontation at a Houston gas station turned deadly when Shanequia McDonald, who claimed she felt threatened by Lewis Daniel taunting or harassing her, gets a shotgun from her car, kills him, takes a camera from the car, takes his picture, and then drives off – leaving Lewis to die ↓

May, 2010 — Upset over loud music coming from a 3-year-old’s birthday party, Raul Rodriguez, a retired firefighter with a gun in one hand while on a phone with police claimed he was “standing his ground” as he gunned down his neighbor, elementary school PE teacher Kelly Danaher ↓

…to PENNSYLVANIA

August, 2013 — Matthew Henkel said, “Fuck you….”fuck Trayvon Martin” and claimed he was standing up for kids when he confronted and shot an African-American man, Jamal Dixon, after Dixon had complained about kids hitting his car with a ball. Henkel claimed stand-your-ground ↓

…to WISCONSIN

May, 2012 — A 78-year-old John Henry Spooner, who had been burglarized, confronted, shot and killed 13-year-old African-American Darrius Simmons as the boy’s mother watched. Spooner claimed stand-your-ground ↓

and of course, IN FLORIDA:

September, 2012 — William Woodward sneaked up on his neighbors during a Labor Day barbecue and opened fire, killing two and injuring another. He claimed he felt threatened by them and claimed stand-your-ground AND the “Bush Doctrine” ↓

November, 2012 — Michael Dunn, upset over loud music, shoots at four African-American teens in an SUV, killing Jordan Davis, claiming stand-your-ground↓

In many cases, a person claiming stand-your-ground is nonetheless convicted of the crime, and in many cases, is aware that a stand-your-ground law exists. Even if they are legitimate, it’s their word against the word of the deceased. But dead men can’t talk.

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Ohio Rally: Opponents Die-In, Proponents Come Out [VIDEO]

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Ohio Student Association members stage "die-in" against stand-your-ground at Ohio Statehouse October 2, 2013 (Photo by Joel Solow/OSU)
Ohio Student Association members stage “die-in” against stand-your-ground at Ohio Statehouse October 2, 2013 (Photo by Joel Solow/OSU)

The opening day of the Ohio Legislative Session  on Wednesday, October 2 in Columbus brought out tension from both sides of the polarized debate on HB203, the proposed amendment to Ohio’s self-defense laws – a “stand-your-ground” law – as rallies by hundreds of anti-stand-your-ground and anti-gun protesters were met by handfuls of gun-toting proponents, some carrying NRA signs. Opponents are attacking the bill before it can become law.

HB203 would change Ohio’s self-defense laws by expanding the circumstances in which a person has no duty to retreat from a threatening situation before using force in self-defense, and make it easier to get concealed-carry permits.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, one group staged a “die-in” (pretending to be dead victims by lying on the ground) as about 200 protesters against stand-your-ground from Trinity Episcopal Church law were handled roughly, with strict orders to stay off the grounds, yet the pro-gun activists were allowed a “short distance” onto the Statehouse grounds.

At a press conference to address the dangers of Stand Your Ground, State Representative and President of Ohio’s Legislative Black Caucus Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) said, “Here in Ohio, we already have strong self-defense laws on the books, and Stand Your Ground would do nothing but turn our state into the Wild, Wild West.”

Ohio State Rep. Alicia Reece                               Ohio State Rep. Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati)

She was joined by advocates and community leaders from around the state, including the Ohio Unity Coalition, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, National Action Network, Congressional Black Caucus, NAACP, SCLC and clergy.

The group later hosted a faith rally, lobbied state legislators, and delivered petitions and municipal resolutions opposing HB 203 from Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Youngstown and Toledo – representing nearly 75% percent of Ohio’s population – to Governor Kasich, Senate President Faber and House Speaker Batchelder.

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Keep Calm And End Stand Your Ground Laws

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A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR OUR FRIENDS IN OHIO AND ALL ACROSS AMERICA:

keep-calm-and-end-syg-laws

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Ohio Stand Your Ground Opponents Using ‘Bush Doctrine’ Ideology Today

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Organizers of a rally against stand-your-ground in Ohio are using a “Bush Doctrine” ideology and will express their opposition to the state’s proposed stand-your-ground law, called HB 203, by bringing hundreds of supporters and thousands of signatures to the Ohio statehouse for the opening session of the legislature today.

The notion of a “Bush Doctrine” – a pre-emptive attack as a sort of “preventive war” – when you feel the threat of an attack was used by former President George W. Bush to justify the invasion of Afghanistan after the 9/11 attack. In effect, a proactive, pre-emptive protest against stand-your-ground uses the same ideology, in attacking HB 203 before it can become law.

The rally, scheduled to start with a 10:15AM press conference, is being staged by the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a group of 14 civic, community, clergy, student, and union organizations, which will also deliver their signed petitions to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and other key lawmakers.
stop stand your ground in ohio
The collaborative says Ohio doesn’t need stand-your-ground, and believes the proposed law isn’t about self-defense, but is instead about the fear of blacks. The group states that HB203 goes far beyond the state’s already reasonable self-defense laws, allows for the shooting of unarmed people, promotes violence, and has no place in their state.

HB203 would change Ohio’s self-defense laws by expanding the circumstances in which a person has no duty to retreat from a threatening situation before using force in self-defense, and make it easier to get concealed-carry permits.

Ohio residents have been very vocal in their stance against stand-your-ground, with the city of Akron this week joining Cincinnati, Youngstown, Dayton, South Euclid and Toledo in voting to oppose the state’s proposed version of a stand-your-ground law.
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Man Shoots, Kills Pup: Is It Canine Stand-Your-Ground?

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Another reason Ohio doesn’t need a new stand-your-ground law: our canine friends are also in danger from self-defense laws that give humans the right to shoot and claim they “felt threatened”.

In the small town of Pemberville, Ohio, a 64-year-old Vietnam veteran, Christopher Zimmerman (last name sound familiar?), shot and killed an adorable 8-month-old mixed labrador-collie named “Puppy”, happily running to meet its owners – children, who witnessed their beloved pet being gunned down in a driveway that separates their home from the shooter’s. Both homes sit directly across the street from an elementary school.

Zimmerman claimed he felt threatened and reportedly had previously filed a police report stating the pup had “raised its hackles” at him “like it was going to attack”.  At that time Zimmerman stated he would “shoot the damn thing” if it came near him again.

The Sentiniel-Tribune reports that this time, Zimmerman reportedly yelled “Get the hell away,” to one of the children trying to catch Puppy, before opening fire from 5 feet away. The police report states that, based on the placement of the bullet wound, “the dog could not have been running towards (Zimmerman) as he had stated”. He was charged with pointing and discharging firearms, injuring animals, and inducing panic.

The children’s’ mom, Misty Smith wrote on her blog, “How do you comfort a sobbing child who can’t understand why anyone would rob her of the puppy she has begged and prayed for, for years?” She later writes that Zimmerman is a veteran, “whose wife has to tell him over and over, ‘the war is over’. He needs help before someone is hurt worse. There has to be something that can be done”.

If Ohio has gun kooks like this on the loose, then enhancing self-defense laws in the state will only make things worse. Can you imagine a Zimmerman case in Ohio?

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The Black NRA Wants You

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Who ever said the NRA was all white? Right along with actor Tom Selleck and rocker Ted Nugent, the NRA also has a few well-known African-Americans sitting on it’s board of directors, including former basketball star Karl Malone, and civil rights activist Roy Innis, head of the Congress of Racial Equality.

Since the NRA emphasizes that the Second Amendment right to bear arms belongs to every American, that right also includes every African-American.

It may be healthy to occasionally find some humor in the fight against stand-your-ground, and this clip from FunnyOrDie (featuring Sarah Silverman and David Alan Grier) brings it to us. So, let’s start recruiting (after you stop laughing)!

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Marissa Alexander Gets A New Trial, Can’t Use Stand-Your-Ground

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Marissa Alexander Marissa Alexander, who turned 33 years old behind bars this month, is getting a belated birthday present, courtesy of the Florida Court of Appeals. The appellate court reversed her conviction, ruling that jury instructions on self-defense were erroneous. But she won’t get another stand-your-ground hearing.

Marissa has served 16 months of a 20 year sentence after being convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for firing what she described as a warning shot.

At trial, the only real issue was whether she had acted in self-defense when she fired the gun.

In her appeal, Marissa maintained that the trial court abused its discretion, by giving self-defense instructions to the jury that improperly put the burden on her to establish – beyond a reasonable doubt – that Rico Gray, her fiance, was committing or was about to commit an aggravated battery when she fired the gun.Marissa Alexander

Under Florida’s 10-20-Life statutes, anyone who pulls a gun during the commission of a crime receives a mandatory 10-year sentence. Firing a gun during a crime draws 20 years.

In a stand-your-ground hearing prior to her last trial, Marissa was denied immunity, and the appellate court affirmed that ruling still stands, so she won’t get another hearing.

Her case now goes back to Florida’s 4th Circuit Court, but no trial date was released.

READ THE APPEALS COURT RULING:

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Stand-Your-Ground Rally In Ohio Next Week

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stop stand your ground in ohio

When the Ohio state legislature convenes on Wednesday, October 2, they likely will get an earful. That’s the day opposition to stand-your–ground arrive – from Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and all places in between.

Ohio residents have been passionate and making noise over the state’s proposed version of stand-your-ground – HB 203. The bill would change the state’s self-defense laws by expanding the circumstances in which a person has no duty to retreat from a threatening situation before using force in self-defense, and also ease restrictions on permits to carry concealed weapons.

Recently, the Youngstown city council followed the lead of Cincinnati, Dayton, South Euclid and Toledo in voting to oppose the state’s proposed version of a stand-your-ground law.

The Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a group of 14 civic, community, clergy, student, and union organizations, has planned a rally at the Ohio Statehouse to deliver over 10,000 signatures and attend the opening legislative session.

The group believes stand-your-ground isn’t about self-defense, but the fear of blacks, that HB203 goes far beyond Ohio’s already reasonable self-defense law, and allows for the shooting of unarmed people. They say the bill promotes violence and has no place in their state.

The rally at the Ohio Statehouse starts at 10AM, and organizers plan to provide transportation for those who need it. For more info, visit the Ohio Organizing Collaborative site.

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Stand Your Ground States Boycott Still Going

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With Florida as the first target, the monthly nationwide boycott of all SYG states is set to take place again tomorrow – Thursday, September 26, and on October 13th and 26th. You are urged not to plan any visits or vacations to Florida on these dates.


Like the Koch Brothers (think Angel Soft, Brawny, Quilted Northern) companies, many Florida corporations are tied to ALEC. The Boycott Stand Your Ground States website lists Tropicana, Publix Supermarket, Southern Wine & Spirits, Office Depot, Royal Carribean, Carnival, DHL Express, and Nascar among Florida corporations as companies you should avoid.

For more information on this boycott, visit Boycott Stand Your Ground States website.

The Movement To End Stand Your Ground is not the organizer of this boycott, but wholeheartedly encouraging, endorsing, and supporting all SYG boycotts in stand-your-ground states.
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