As the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network organized “Justice for Trayvon” rallies in cities nationwide over the weekend, demonstrators at a Las Vegas rally went as far as urging Miami Heat players LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to quit their teams in protest of Florida’s ’stand your ground’ laws.
“Today is a day the Lord has made to demonstrate to the state of Florida and other states who has passed laws who are bias to black and brown people of this race,” said Gene Collins, president of National Action Network’s Las Vegas chapter, according to Breitbart News.
“We are here also to ask our sports icons LeBron James, Dwyane Wade … and other professional players in baseball and football to change franchises and play for another franchise until the state of Florida recognizes there has to be change,” he continued.
“We are also asking the collegiate athletes who have signed contracts and who have signed letters of intent to play for various universities to transfer to another university until the governor of the state of Florida calls a special session and changes the laws so that African American males and females, black and brown kids will be safe in the state of Florida,” Mr. Collins added.
Mr. James released a photo last March of the Miami Heat wearing hooded sweatshirts in a tribute to Trayvon Martin, according to ESPN. Wade has also expressed his shock by the Zimmerman verdict through Twitter.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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