Justice for Trayvon Martin

By now, I'm sure all of you have heard the sad details of the Trayvon Martin case. This case hits home for me. Not only because my heart genuinely hurts for the pain that his family must be feeling, or because of the gross injustice that still has yet to be rectified, but also because it happened just a few miles from where I lived for years in Altamonte Springs, FL.

This could have happened to anyone that I know. It could have been you; it could have been me.

I'm not going to spend time preaching about racial injustice; it is America's big white elephant in the room (pun intended), and will probably never be eradicated in my lifetime. I'm not going to preach about the ridiculousness of George Zimmerman's claim of "self-defense," when he CLEARLY stated to the 911 operator that he was following the unarmed 17 year old. I'm not going to preach about how if the roles were reversed, and a black man had shot an unarmed white child, imprisonment wouldn't even be a question; and half of Sanford would be calling for the death penalty. Nor will I preach about the great danger of Florida's Stand Your Ground law, and how the term "self-defense" can be incredibly subjective. No, I'm not going to preach.

Instead, what I will do, is give you the opportunity to review the evidence for yourself. If you haven't done so already, take the time to listen to the 911 calls, and then read the Florida Statutes that relate to the use of deadly force in self defense and the use of deadly force in self defense by an aggressor. THEN make an educated decision. If you agree that this man should at the very least, be arrested and brought to trial to face a jury of his peers -- sign the petition. Better yet, contact Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and DEMAND JUSTICE for Trayvon! Their phone number is: 866-966-7226. You can also fill out the contact form to file a complaint or inquiry.

Excerpts of the 911 calls:
You can also read a full transcript of George Zimmerman's initial police call here, along with an examination of whether he used a racial epithet, as some listeners have suggested.
(Source) 

Florida Statutes that relate to the use of deadly force in self defense and the use of deadly force in self defense by an aggressor:
776.012 -- Use of force in defense of person. -- A person is justified in using force, except deadly force, against another when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force. However, a person is justified in the use of deadly force and does not have a duty to retreat if:
(1) He or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily    

harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony; or

(2) Under those circumstances permitted pursuant to s. 776.013.
---------------------------------
776.041 -- Use of force by aggressor. -- The justification described in the preceding sections of this chapter is not available to a person who:
(1) Is attempting to commit, committing, or escaping after the commission of, a forcible felony; or
(2) Initially provokes the use of force against himself or herself, unless:
(a) Such force is so great that the person reasonably believes that he or she is in imminent danger of death 

or great bodily harm and that he or she has exhausted every reasonable means to escape such danger 

other than the use of force which is likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the assailant; or

(b) In good faith, the person withdraws from physical contact with the assailant and indicates clearly to 

the assailant that he or she desires to withdraw and terminate the use of force, but the assailant continues or resumes the use of force.

Listen, I don't presume to call myself an activist. I'm not one of those people that watches horrific YouTube videos and starts ranting and raving about things I really don't know much about, or protests because Brad and Angelina are doing it. But I DO know the difference between right and wrong... and I am concerned about the scary precedent this case could set, and the racially tense direction our nation is headed in. Most importantly, I do remember pledging my allegiance to the flag of a nation that promised "...one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all." We can't bring Trayvon Martin back. But we can unite and demand that he receives his justice. As I write this, The Million Hoodie March is taking place in New York City's Union Square (incidentally coinciding with the United Nations International Day To End Racial Discrimination). Put your hoods up, people. Look in the mirror. Ask yourself if YOU look suspicious. Then do the right thing and demand justice for Trayvon Martin, who could have been anyone's son or brother. Again... it takes a village.

Do I look suspicious?

No H8

One small step for the LGTB Community, and one large step for equality in America! A federal appeals court ruled California's same-sex marriage ban (known as Proposition 8) unconstitutional today, declaring it a violation of the civil rights of gay and lesbian people. "Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California," Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote in Tuesday's ruling. Although this ruling applies only to California, the list of states allowing same-sex marriages is growing, and this is considered to be a huge victory in the ongoing battle for equality.

Now, I hate to overshadow good news with bad, but I have to say, this decision is really refreshing after the recent possible hate crime that occurred in Southwest Atlanta just last Saturday. A teenager was brutally beaten outside of a convenience store by gang members who shouted anti-gay slurs at him; the entire incident was captured by the store's video surveillance. The FBI is working with the Atlanta police to investigate the crime, and determine whether the actions shown in the video violate Federal statutes against hate crimes. Anyone who might have information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Atlanta Crime Stoppers Hotline at 404-577-TIPS. Tips can be given anonymously, and compensation may be awarded.


It's important to remember that although we are taking baby steps towards progress and equality, there are still folks out there pushing us three steps back with deplorable actions like this. It takes a village, people. We all have to stand together for what's right. Do your part, love thy neighbor, and stop the hate. Besides, if this really is our last year on earth, do you really want to waste your time hating people? Think about it; together we can all make a difference. Peace and love!

Power to the People!

Today, in support of the SOPA/PIPA protest, I'm also doing a blackout. I know that this just a little ol' blog, and that I don't reach as many people as Wikipedia or Reddit; but every little bit counts. It takes a village, people! So, please take the time that you would be spending reading my blog to instead read up on the topic at hand! Do some research - and if you agree that SOPA and PIPA violate your first amendment rights, contact your local representatives, or sign the petition. Together, we can all make a difference.