A core group of about 15 “Dream Defenders” — so-dubbed for their stated belief in the need for legislative justice for slain 17-year-old Trayvon Martin — have dug in Tuesday outside the Florida Capitol building, refusing to leave until lawmakers pass a bill to moot the state’s “stand your ground” gun laws.
The group started its sit-in at the Capitol shortly after Florida resident George Zimmerman was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges in the killing of Martin.
Then, they demanded a meeting with Gov. Rick Scott, pressing him to call a special session so lawmakers could take action and unravel what they characterized as Florida’s “unjust” gun laws, Sunshine State News reported. Mr. Scott did finally meet with them — but did not meet their demands.
Still, they’re not leaving. Some may have gone home, but the core activists are still at the Capitol, demanding lawmakers overturn the gun law, citing 1950s- and 1960s-era civil rights fights as their motivation.
“It’s the same in spirit as the Montgomery [Alabama] bus boycott,” with Rosa Parks, said one 19-year-old “Dream Defender,” in Sunshine State News. “We want to end the injustice. We are willing to work hard. We are willing to make sacrifices.”
Sunshine State News reported the number of “Dream Defenders” who are still outside the Capitol building stands at about 15 — down considerably from the dozens who stormed the offices, demanding justice, in the past couple weeks.
SEE ALSO: Trayvon Martin’s mother, Sybrina Fulton: Repeal stand-ground law
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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