Bottom row: l-r: Rep. Linda Stewart (Orlando), Rep. Ricardo Rangel (Kissimmee), Rep. Katie Edwards (Plantation), Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel-Vasilinda (Tallahassee), and Rep. Carl Zimmerman (Palm Harbor)
The Dream Defenders camped out at the Florida Capitol for days and weeks in an effort to get Florida Governor Rick Scott to call a special session on the state’s most controversial law, “Stand Your Ground.”
The Florida Secretary of State’s office revealed that seven Democrats decided to vote against calling a special session to discuss SYG.
The law has been in the news everyday since George Zimmerman was acquitted of killing Trayvon Martin. Some, including the Dream Defenders, believe that SYG is one of the reasons why Zimmerman was able to walk out of the courtroom a free man. In regards to politics, the Florida Democratic Party led the charge against the law. Democratic Representative Alan Williams has filed legislation to repeal SYG. In addition, Representative Bruce Antone has filed a bill that will amend some of the contentious language embedded in the law.
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At a cost of $200,000 a day for a Special Session, and the committee meetings starting in a few weeks where legislation can actually be written to move forward, on this important issue, it seems like they made a well thought out decision versus an impulsive decision. Let’s do this right this time and be sure both parties are on the same page to protect our children as they walk down the street or enter classrooms this fall and beyond.