Politics & Government

Local Rep to Introduce Florida Boycott Bill

Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, who represents multiple local foothill cities, is calling for a boycott and law change in Florida following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin shooting.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY - Local Assemblyman Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, is proposing to introduce a state bill that would call on Florida to revise its self-defense laws and urge a general boycott of the state.

The call comes in the wake of the acquittal of Sanford, Florida resident George Zimmerman on the basis of self-defense after he fatally shot 17-year-old black teenager Trayvon Martin in February.

"When I heard the verdict last weekend, I was disappointed and saddened.  Another young black child is dead and nobody is being held accountable," wrote Assemblyman Holden in a statement.  "It is a true nightmare scenario for every black parent in America, and a sad commentary on racial injustice in this country."

The bill would encourage all organizations, businesses, and families who would normally do business with or travel to Florida to consider patronizing other states until Florida's "Stand Your Grond" law is repealed, according to Holden's release.

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That law, which was passed in 2005, states that a citizen "has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another."

Critics of the law believe it influenced the jury's decision to acquit Zimmerman, who said he was attacked by Martin after Zimmerman called 9-1-1 on Martin as a potential suspicious person then followed him.

Holden represents a large part of the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles County, including Sierra Madre, Pasadena, Altadena, South Pasadena, Monrovia and further east foothill cities, including Claremont.

When on the Pasadena City Council in 2010, he also voted in favor of a boycott of Arizona in response to an immigration law the state passed that drew national criticism.

Are you in favor of this resolution?  Do you think the state of California should have a position on Florida's laws or no?  Tell us in the comments.


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