Florida lawmakers will hold hearings on the state’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law, after mounting pressure following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teen.
House Speaker, Will Weatherford made the announcement on Friday, saying that the law will be reviewed during the fall Legislative session.
The announcement is a major concession and comes in the context of growing calls for a special session to review Florida’s self-defense law, including the “Stand Your Ground” law.
Since Zimmerman’s acquittal three weeks ago, the Dream Defenders – a group of 50-70 students and other supporters, camped out at the state Capitol in Tallahassee – have urged Gov. Rick Scott to convene a special session of the Legislature to review and repeal or revise the law. Â Scott has said he won’t call a special session and supports the law.
Several prominent African-American civil rights leaders, including Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and Martin’s parents have also said the law should be re-examined. President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have stated publicly that the law should be reviewed.
