17 year old Trayvon Martin was watching the NBA all star game with his dad on a Sunday afternoon. At halftime he decided to take a short walk to a market to purchase some skittles and an Arizona ice t. He would return home to watch the second half of the game and enjoy his snack and beverage... That is; if he hadn't met George Zimmerman.
Zimmerman, a self appointed neighborhood watch captain was "patrolling" his neighborhood when he came upon the "suspicious looking" Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman then dialed 911 and alerted police that he was following a crazy person on drugs. The 911 dispatcher told Zimmerman to stand down and let the police handle the situation. He didn't. Instead he continued to follow the 17 year old and forced a confrontation. A fatal confrontation. Details are sketchy, but we do know is that a 17 year old unarmed boy was shot to death after a scuffle. A scuffle that witnesses say was dominated by Zimmerman who outweighed Martin by over thirty pounds. So why did he need to shoot an unarmed boy while on top of him? How threatening can someone be if you have them pinned and you're armed?
The "Stand Your Ground Law" has allowed Zimmerman to walk free for the murder of Trayvon Martin. This is a law who's chief beneficiary is the NRA. A law that suggests using deadly force any and everywhere you "feel" threatened is just.
In the motion picture "Unforgiven", it was expected of townspeople and visitors to check their firearms in with the Sheriff when they enter the town of Big Whiskey. Though it was a movie, this wasn't an uncommon practice as the population began to increase around the turn of the 20th century.
Why did they seem to appreciate the importance of this back then? And why now does such a law exist when we are infinitely more dense a population than we were circa 1900?--Lobbyists and special interest groups. They have in essence created scenarios such as "Stand Your Ground" to further their agenda without regards to whom it affects.
Trayvon Martin never got to see the second half of the NBA Allstar game. He never got to eat his skittles. He never sipped his ice t. All because a law was put in to place that would have been considered outrageous 100 years ago. A law that allowed Zimmerman to "Stand His Ground" or impede on someone else's ground while in a vehicle and they're on foot. It sounds like this law gives individuals the freedom to choose the grounds--and the perceived threats. Essentially making every Florida resident a self appointed judge, jury and executioner.
Due process is something our country prides itself on. When evidence of a contradictory law such as this rears it's ugly head, we must speak up. Vigilantism is the worst response. Reform is what is needed... To save lives, and so kids wont be killed for simply wearing a hoodie.
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