Stevie Wonder boycotts Florida and other states with "stand your ground" laws

[soulster]

http://www.nbcnews.com/entertainment...ict-6C10645827

Stevie Wonder boycotts Florida following George Zimmerman verdict

Randee DawnNBC News contributor

1 hour ago
Florida fans of Stevie Wonder who want to see the legend sing are going to have to go on a road trip for the near future. During a performance in Quebec City, Canada, on Sunday, the Grammy-winning performer spoke out about the recent acquittal of George Zimmerman and announced he would boycott the state.
"I decided today that until the 'Stand Your Ground' law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again," he told the audience. "As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world."


Though the "stand your ground" law arguably was not a factor in Zimmerman's acquittal, it was a much-discussed potential motivation for Zimmerman's actions on the night of Feb. 26, 2012, when he and Martin had their deadly encounter.
Earlier in his over three-minute announcement, captured by a fan at the concert on YouTube, Wonder asked his fans to join him in the boycott.
"For those that we have lost in the battle for justice, wherever that fits in any part of the world — we can't bring them back," he said. "[[What) we can do is we can let our voices be heard. And we can vote in our various countries throughout the world for change and equality for everybody. That's what I know we can do."
Wonder isn't the first celebrity to speak out post-verdict; others havegiven voice to their concerns about the acquittal on Twitter andelsewhere, but his appears to be the first entertainer to actively take his business out of the state in reaction to the decision.
Last November Wonder withdrew from a Los Angeles gala in which he was set to perform in support of the Israeli Defence Forces after a petition urged him to rethink his performance.

[soulster]

I see Russ Holloway beat me to it, but I can't find a way to delete my thread.

[RossHolloway]

@Soulster - I think threads in the two different forums is ok. I wonder if there will be more calls to boycott the state of Florida.

[skooldem1]

What happens to the families that rely on tourism and their jobs to support their family?

Will others also boycott all these other states like Stevie? I posted this in the other thread.

************************************************** **********************

Here's a rundown of the states with laws mirroring the one in Florida, where there's no duty to retreat in public places and where, in most cases, self-defense claims have some degree of immunity in court. [[The specifics of what kind of immunity, and when the burden of proof lies on the prosecution, vary from state to state.)

Many of the laws were originally advocated as a way to address domestic abuse cases — how could a battered wife retreat if she was attacked in her own home? Such legislation also has been recently pushed by the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights groups.

Click on the state to see its law.

Alabama
Arizona
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois [[The law does not include a duty to retreat, which courts have interpreted as a right to expansive self-defense.)

Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon [[Also does not include a duty to retreat.)

South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington [[Also does not include a duty to retreat.)

West Virginia
Sources: Legal Community Against Violence; National District Attorney’s Association; Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

http://www.propublica.org/article/th...-like-floridas

[soulster]

@Soulster - I think threads in the two different forums is ok. I wonder if there will be more calls to boycott the state of Florida.

But, all we need is one thread. Those of us who use the "New Posts" tab see threads regardless of what section it's posted in.

[soulster]

What happens to the families that rely on tourism and their jobs to support their family?

I live in one of those "stand your ground" states that has been boycotted for a lot of things in recent years, including SB-1070 and rejecting a Martin Luther King holiday, among other things. The only thing it hurts are hotels and convention centers, and most of them still get business, and usually support the boycotts. The loss in tourism isn't as bad as you might think it is.

[Jerry Oz]

Those states made a decision to follow conservative doctrine down a dark road. If they lose millions of dollars, at least the stood their ground on principle. I don't think they will do too poorly because unless their is a concerted and organized effort, any losses will be attributable to economic, not social, factors.

[skooldem1]

I live in one of those "stand your ground" states that has been boycotted for a lot of things in recent years, including SB-1070 and rejecting a Martin Luther King holiday, among other things. The only thing it hurts are hotels and convention centers, and most of them still get business, and usually support the boycotts. The loss in tourism isn't as bad as you might think it is.

There are a lot of people that work at hotels, restaurants, and convention centers.

[skooldem1]

According to what I posted above, "stand your ground" was initially started in response to domestic abuse cases/abused women. Should we still strike the law and give them no recourse or protection?

[jsmith]

RE: "stand your ground" was initially started in response to domestic abuse cases/abused women.

So why are bigoted right wingers & gun lobbyists helping the law be used for totally different purposes ????
Racists will always be racists & will use every means they can to further their aims.
Here in the UK we have strong laws to protect women from violence PLUS strong laws to keep guns & the nutters who want to use them off the street.
BOTH LAWS WORK VERY WELL.

[soulster]

There are a lot of people that work at hotels, restaurants, and convention centers.

Everything depends on the state or municipality. If you have a state like Texas, the state's health relies on big oil. If it's Arizona. a chunk of it comes from tourists, but places like Phoenix relies on industry too, among other things. Some of the states' populations are large enough to where they won't seriously be affected by the drop in tourism.


And, lastly, sometimes, taking a moral or ethical stand is a little more important than having a minimum wage job in a hotel. I'm glad the younger generations see that.

[soulster]

RE: "stand your ground" was initially started in response to domestic abuse cases/abused women.

So why are bigoted right wingers & gun lobbyists helping the law be used for totally different purposes ????
Racists will always be racists & will use every means they can to further their aims.
Here in the UK we have strong laws to protect women from violence PLUS strong laws to keep guns & the nutters who want to use them off the street.
BOTH LAWS WORK VERY WELL.

Like I said, these stand your ground laws were created by the gun lobbyists under the guise of deterring domestic violence. Smoke and mirrors. That's how they operate.

[skooldem1]

There are many people that work in food service, and housekeeping at hotels. For them, those little "minimum wage jobs" mean everything. They are proud people and have families to support.

[soulster]

There are many people that work in food service, and housekeeping at hotels. For them, those little "minimum wage jobs" mean everything. They are proud people and have families to support.

I understand that, but, again, sometimes you have to make a sacrifice for the common good. Oh, does that sound socialist?

[Soul Sister]

Good for Stevie! More power to him!!!


S.S.
***

[Jerry Oz]

There are many people that work in food service, and housekeeping at hotels. For them, those little "minimum wage jobs" mean everything. They are proud people and have families to support.

Don't those people vote? They can stand their ground and suffer the consequences of their politics.

[soulster]

Don't those people vote? They can stand their ground and suffer the consequences of their politics.

The sad reality is, that, until the last two presidential elections, the youth and working class didn't vote. I don't know what's going to happen now that Obama has two terms. The only way is if Hilary Clinton runs in 2016. But, right now, we have to get them to vote next year.

[smark21]

There are many people that work in food service, and housekeeping at hotels. For them, those little "minimum wage jobs" mean everything. They are proud people and have families to support.

That’s the same argument that opponents of Sanctions against Apartheid South Africa used to trot out. They put that argument out to pretend they cared about oppressed, poor Africans in South Africa, but it was just a smokescreen for their true view of maintaining apartheid.

[Jerry Oz]

The sad reality is, that, until the last two presidential elections, the youth and working class didn't vote. I don't know what's going to happen now that Obama has two terms. The only way is if Hilary Clinton runs in 2016. But, right now, we have to get them to vote next year.

It probably won't matter who wins the nomination. Republicans are changing the apportionment of electoral college votes so that they are prorated by district instead of all the votes in the state going to the winner of the popular vote.
That way in Ohio [[for example), Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati won't deliver the state for a Democratic candidate again like they did last year. If you can't beat 'em, cheat 'em.

[soulster]

It probably won't matter who wins the nomination. Republicans are changing the apportionment of electoral college votes so that they are prorated by district instead of all the votes in the state going to the winner of the popular vote.
That way in Ohio [[for example), Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati won't deliver the state for a Democratic candidate again like they did last year. If you can't beat 'em, cheat 'em.

The only way a democrat can win in these Gerrymandered districts is if the republiKKKans piss off enough of their own constituents so they either don't vote or they vote for the Democrat. That actually looks like a possible scenario because they will probably nominate a tea-bagger.

[jaybs]

I applaud Stevie! it may affect jobs, but what is the alternative, do nothing and accept what is wrong! No!

[Jerry Oz]

A lot of people don't realize that there is a mastermind behind a lot of these "conservative" ideas in state houses and Congress. American Legislative Exchange Council [[ALEC) is a group that brings "conservative" politicians together with laws that the very well-funded group thinks should be on the books. That's why Castle Doctrine expanded to Stand Your Ground. There are also plenty of of anti-abortion laws being passed as a result of ALEC in addition the gerrymandering of districts, ideas about apportioning electoral college votes, staunch resistance to bi-partisan relationships in Congress, pushback agains ACA, and the various reasons we went to the brink of an unfunded government over the last four years. These people are solely motivated by making sure there is greater separation between the top 3% of Americans from the lower 97%. Without even know who the nominees are in 2016, they have already laid the groundwork to rig the election [[see the recent implementation of Pennsylvania's voter ID rules). These are dark days in the kingdom, indeed.

[RossHolloway]

I applaud Stevie! it may affect jobs, but what is the alternative, do nothing and accept what is wrong! No!

Hopefully those in Florida who are affected by the boycott will in turn put pressure on their state legislatures to change the law and by voting out some of these politicians who are under the control of ALEC.

[JIVE FIVE Mary G.]

I applaud Stevie & Eddie Levert for refusing to perform in Florida because of the verdict in the Zimmerman trial. What I don't get is why they are taking this position based on the stand your ground laws. It's my understanding that law had nothing to do with the Zimmerman case. Please correct me if I'm mistaken. These laws are good and effective in many cases. How do you retreat if someone has you cornered in your own home with the intent to do you bodily harm.

~~Mary~~

[Jerry Oz]

JIVE FIVE Mary G.: You should Google how the law has been applied. There are instances of people chasing others down the street in road rage cases, getting out of their cars to confront the person they chased, and when the other person gets out, the chaser has shot him for "fear of his life", even though he - like Zimmerman - created the stressful situation. Last year, an older white man yelled at three black youths to turn their radio down in a parking lot and when they cussed him, he shot them after claiming that he saw one with a shotgun that was never found. Nobody should be permitted to start a fight and then invoke self-defense. Call the cops if necessary, but don't use a gun to put out a fire when you threw gas on it. Zimmerman originally invoked "stand your ground", and that's why it became the touchstone of controversy.

[nosey]

I'm with you Mary. Don't take away my right to defend myself period because if you come for me, I got something for you. Of course, I'm no fan of Zimmerman so I don't go around initiating confrontations with people.

[Jerry Oz]

I'm with you Mary. Don't take away my right to defend myself period because if you come for me, I got something for you. Of course, I'm no fan of Zimmerman so I don't go around initiating confrontations with people.

I assure you that nobody thinks it's a bad idea to be able to defend yourself. You have always had the right to self-defense, but that is not what this law is about. Stand your ground simply takes away your legal obligation to use self-defense as a last resort.

[JIVE FIVE Mary G.]

Hi Jerry & Nosey,

I heard Zimmerman's defense never introduced stand your ground as part of his defense?

Many states have stand your ground laws and they vary from state to state. I have heard of some of the outrageous cases in Florida and perhaps the law needs to be changed there. IMHO every state should have a self defense law. You should be able to defend yourself in your own home, property or from someone with intent to do you bodily harm. I've heard these laws began to protect women in domestic violence cases.

There has been so much coverage on the news and media outlets, with lawyers and other pundits with differeing opinions, it becomes confusing. The bottom line for me is Zimmerman was responsible for the chain of events that led to the tragic death of Travon Martin, the minute he stepped out of his car.

~~Mary~~

[soulster]

Juror b37 has sure revealed a lot about that trial. I'll bet her lawyer, and Zimmerman's lawyers, warned her against speaking out any further. On top of that, the judge ruled that the jurors' identities shall remain anonymous. Although i'm not certain whether she could do that, but that juror speaking out threatens that.

[Kamasu_Jr]

In this day, people should have the right to defend themselves if they are attacked and their lives are in danger or the life of a loved one is in danger. But I disagree with protecting property like cars, which can be insured and replaced.

[soulster]

In this day, people should have the right to defend themselves if they are attacked and their lives are in danger or the life of a loved one is in danger. But I disagree with protecting property like cars, which can be insured and replaced.

I know that Texas includes property in their SYG law.

[jaybs]

Amazing the number of past offences coming out about Zimmerman! real anger problems & violence.

Good to see Eddie Levert join Stevie & Dionne!

[Jerry Oz]

A few years ago in Texas, a white man saw two black thieves carrying property away from his neighbor's house. He shot them and killed at least one of the thieves. The local DA determined that Castle Doctrine extended toward the killer in this case in spite of the fact that he was in no danger and the crooks were going the other way.

[Roberta75]

http://www.spin.com/articles/jay-z-k...substantiated/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...usaolp00000003

[soulster]

Gah! What has the world come to when artists are ashamed, embarrassed, or scared to stand up for anything? Didn't these morons learn anything from history? Shit! Half of them wouldn't even be where they are today had it not been for people who put their names, reputations, livelihoods, and lives on the line for justice.