Conservative pundits and news outlets like Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, and the Daily Caller have pointed to media coverage of the Christopher Lane murder as proof that there is a racial double standard in the media.
Florida lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly against holding a special session to strike down the “Stand Your Ground” law. 108 legislators voted against the session; only 47 voted for it.
The Coalition to End Gun Violence has released an ad that reenacts the Trayvon Martin shooting. The ad calls for an end to Stand Your Ground laws, and features the actual 911 recordings from that tragic night.
Sybrina Fulton – mother of Trayvon Martin – spoke out on NYC’s controversial Stop and Frisk policy yesterday: “You can’t give people the authority, whether civilian or police officers the right to just stop somebody because of the color of their skin.”
Michigan Judge John Corbett O’Meara has ruled that juveniles convicted of first-degree murder must be considered for parole. O’Meara’s ruling demands that the state no longer enforce their mandatory-no-parole law in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court decision.
Jesse Jackson Jr. has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for misusing nearly $750,000 in campaign funds. His wife, Sandi Jackson, has received a 12 months sentence.
Homeless 19-year old James Ward will attend Howard University this fall after soliciting online donations to his college fund. In just a few days, his story spread like wildfire; he’s already raised $12,000!
Miami artist and peace activist Huong unveiled her latest work, a mural dedicated to the memory of Trayvon Martin.
Attorney General Eric Holder will announce major drug sentencing reforms today. The Justice Department will avoid charging low-level and nonviolent drug offenders with crimes that carry mandatory minimum sentences, as long as they’re not connected with criminal organizations.
The man chosen to chair hearings on Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law is Rep. Matt Gaetz, a staunch supporter of the law: “I don’t support changing one damn comma of the ‘Stand Your Ground’ law. …It would be reactionary and dangerous to make Floridians less safe to pacify uninformed protesters.”
President Obama is slated to speak at the upcoming ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
The Dream Defenders’ occupation of the Florida state capitol has entered its fourth week. They’re calling for passage of Trayvon’s Law; a comprehensive piece of legislation designed to combat the systemic racism that funnels black and brown youth into prison, or into the ground.
