"Trayvon Martin Civil Rights Act" Gaining Support
TALLAHASSEE (CBS Miami) – Following the not guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman trial, some Florida students have joined together to call for a "Trayvon Martin Civil Rights Act".
Out of more than 100 students who visited the Florida State Capitol, 30 of the students began spending the night there, Tuesday, demanding justice after the acquittal of Zimmerman.
The students have said they will not leave until their demands for new civil rights legislation are heard by Governor Rick Scott.
The group called Dream Defenders said it will request a special session of the legislature and called for additional students and supporters to join them at the state capitol in Tallahassee.
A petition is also being circulated. Click here.
According to the request, the students want the following items addressed:
- Fully repeal Stand Your Ground Law
- Require law enforcement agencies to develop written policies defining and prohibiting racial profiling.
- Mandate law enforcement training on racial profiling.
- Repeal zero-tolerance policies in schools.
- Promote restorative justice programs for youth.
So far, Dream Defenders has managed to get support from House Rep. Alan Williams, Commissioner Andrew Gillum and hip-hop icon Russell Simmons.
