Trayvon Martin’s father visited Tallahassee Thursday as part of a forum at Florida A and M University discussing Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.The forum, part of FAMU's Homecoming week, was called “Stand Your Ground law: Where Do We Go From Here?”
Hundreds of people attended the forum, in part to hear Tracy Martin address the crowd about the law at the center of a trial concerning his son’s death. Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother, was also supposed to come, but was unable to attend. Still, Tracy Martin says what they both want is for the controversial law to be repealed or changed, not remain as is.
“It meant a lot to just get the message out, trying to let everyone know that we want the laws to apply to us equally, that there are some loopholes in the laws that need to get kicked out, that need to be reformed, etc., but it was real important to be here to hear what legislators are saying,” said Martin, following the forum.
Tallahassee Democratic Representative Alan Williams was among the speakers at the event. He’s the sponsor of a bill that aims to repeal the law. It’s slated for a hearing before the end of December in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee, headed by Shalimar Republican Matt Gaetz, who’s vowed to keep the law intact.
Stay tuned to Friday's Capital Report for more on this story!
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