Opponents Of Florida’s 2005 ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law Predicted ‘Racially Motivated
Opponents Of Floridas 2005 Stand Your Ground Law Predicted Racially Motivated Killings
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/03/21/449667/opponents-of-floridas-2005-stand-your-ground-law-predicted-racially-motivated-killings/
Nearly one month after shooting and killing Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman remains a free man. The Sanford Police maintain that Zimmermans conduct was legally justified under Floridas controversial Stand Your Ground legislation, enacted in 2005. The law eliminated the duty to avoid a confrontation and authorized the use of deadly force if there is a reasonable belief it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.
Since the shooting on February 26, facts have emerged that suggest there may have been a racial element to Zimmermans violent conduct against a 17-year-old African-American. Zimmerman called the police to report Martins suspicious behavior, which he described as just walking around looking about. Zimmerman was a very frequent caller to 911, almost always reporting young black men.
Seven years ago, opponents of the Stand Your Ground legislation predicted it could lead to racially motivated killings. From Reuters, April 2005:
For a House that talks about the culture of life its ironic that we would be devaluing life in this bill, said Democratic state Rep. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach. Thats exactly what were doing. [...]
Critics say the measure could lead to racially motivated killings and promote deadly escalations of arguments.