We honor the memory of Trayvon Martin and pay respects to his family. This tragedy serves as a vivid reminder of the pain felt by youth of color in their communities, in which they are profiled, criminalized, and targeted. Unless we take action, nothing will change. The George Zimmerman verdict showed the world that Florida has no value for the life of its children.
After three days of waiting and sleeping on the Capitol floor, we finally met with Governor Scott, but he failed to rise to the occasion. Rather than using his considerable power to create change, he told us he would call for a statewide day of prayer to end racial profiling. We feel he has to do much more.
This is an opportunity for Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature to prove their commitment to the next generation of Floridians with a Trayvon Martin Act.
That’s why we started a petition to Governor Rick Scott, which says:
Governor Rick Scott,
The death of Trayvon Martin and subsequent acquittal of his killer have exposed an unfortunate culture of targeting and criminalization of young people of color in Florida.
We demand a Trayvon Martin Act. We demand that you call a special session of the Florida Legislature to address the issues at the center of the Trayvon Martin tragedy: “stand your ground” vigilantism, racial profiling, and a war on youth that paints us as criminals and funnels us out of schools and into jails.
Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.
Thanks!
–Dream Defenders
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