Written by Tanya Free   

Last month, I encouraged and challenged our listeners and readers to ‘Stand Our Ground’ in demanding justice in the case of Trayvon Martin. I thank each and every one of you who took the time to stand tall with thousands across this country that attended vigils, marched, signed petitions, made phone calls and prayed for the arrest of Trayvon’s killer, George Zimmerman. Well, Zimmerman was arrested and charged with second degree murder. Florida Special Prosecutor Angela Corey stated that her decision to prosecute Zimmerman was not affected by politics or protests. She stated that “we do not prosecute by public pressure or by petition” While I accept her contention that the decision to prosecute Zimmerman was based on the evidence, it is difficult for me to believe that nationwide protests and two million signatures on petitions didn’t lead to this decision that was not even on the table until the former Sanford Police Chief and local prosecutor were pressured to step aside.
What do we do now? This case may linger for months. We cannot afford to stand down while we wait for the scales of justice to level. We have to turn our attention to the politicians and corporations that support “Stand Your Ground” which in some form or fashion is THE LAW in 25 states. We must be vigilant in our efforts to overturn “Stand Your Ground” and unjust voter ID laws in our state legislatures.
Activism is finally alive and growing among the disenfranchised. In addition to the Trayvon Martin case, we have seen what pressure can do to affect change. Who would have thought that public outcry would force the powerful and formerly secretive American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) to disband its task force responsible for Stand Your Ground, Voter ID initiatives and Prison Revitalization? Who would have thought that ALEC, the right arm of the National Rifle Association would experience a mass exodus of corporations including Coca Cola, Pepsi, Kraft Foods, Wendy’s and McDonald’s? The threat of boycotts forced these companies to do the right thing even when in some cases they did it for the wrong reason. We need to continue to STAND OUR GROUND now and at the ballot box this November.
Those that are hell bent on taking us backwards should be reminded of the adage “Whatever you do in the dark will surely come to light”

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