Law Enforcement : To Serve and Protect

1. Law Enforcement: To Serve and Protect The Stand Your Ground Law And Its Most Infamous Case Official Story

2. Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law On April 2005 The Stand Your Ground law was passed and signed by then Governor Jeb Bush. In brief, the doctrine states, ”A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony. (www.cfnews.com)

3. “I have the RIGHT to protect myself” Florida pioneered legalizing concealed carry of handguns in 1987. Since then, many states have also started the “movement” for self defense. Currently 23 other states have adapted this law. (www.SJ-R.com)

4. We are stationed at every corner for your safety! The purpose of a neighborhood watch organzation like this one in Sanford, Fl is to help maintain the community and its people safe and protected. David Zimmerman was the neighborhood watch leader who legally carried a concealed handgun to protect himself and others from “suspicious” persons. Image (www.google.com)

5. Act of defense as the law states 17 year old, Trayvon Martin (left) was shot and killed by neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman (right) on February 26,2012. Zimmerman states he shot the teenager in order to protect himself. Zimmerman claims Martin was suspicious looking. Under the Stand Your Ground law, Zimmerman was within his rights and has not been arrested. Image from (www.abcnews.go.com)

6. Images of mourning make Headlines Shortly after his Trayvon Martin’s death, many including these group of young children gathered outside their school steps to mourn. Besides placing candles, the children also placed bags of Skittles, bottles of ice tea drinks….allegedely these were the snacks the slain teenager was having while talking on his cell phone that made him “suspicious.” Image (www.newhavenregister.com)

7. The nation responds March 26, 2012 mark the one month anniversary of Martin’s killing. Rallies were formed to support the case of Trayvon Martin. The case has obtained much attention and speculation. There have been many protests since then. (www.sacbee.com)

8. Law Enforcement: To Serve and Protect? Another view of Stand Your Ground The Unofficial Story

9. “I have the RIGHT to shoot you!” Stand Your Ground Laws are frequently criticized and even referred to as “shoot first” laws by some critics. Without this law, how many unnecessary violent confrontations could be prevented? How could we be sure if this is the right solution?

10. Could Neighborhood Watch communities ignite Hate Crimes? How could we be sure if Trayvon Martin’s death was triggered by a Hate Crime? Hearing about the 911 call by Zimmerman, fired up questions if racial profiling was the cause of this tragedy. The 911 call states, Zimmerman had made a racial slur and the way Martin was dressed, was reason for suspicion. Was this reason enough for Martin to be chased in the first place?

11. Is a “hoodie” a symbol of menace? Since the rise of this case, the hoodie has been associated with looking suspicious and also racial profiling. What if Martin wasn’t wearing a hoodie? Would it have made him less “gang-like?” Would he have looked like a threat to the neighborhood if he were white and wearing a hoodie? To me, that’s not really the question. The gun had no place there. This would have never happened….(next image)

12. Will these laws keep me safe? No. The best way would be to rethink the laws of Stand Your Ground. It should definitely be investigated by Congress. If it is not banned, major restrictions should be applied and reinforced to prevent major harm and future killings.

13. Through our voices, justice will be served The Stand Your Ground Law should be widely investigated by Congress. With the voice of the public and support from Washington, justice could be brought into light, not only for Trayvon Martin but for all innocent victims.

14. It started with YOU!!! Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law has been used to excuse neighborhood brawls, bar fights, road rage, and even street gang violence. These laws should be repealed. They are nothing but a license to kill. If only Jeb Bush hadn’t signed off….a 17 year old teenager would have still been on the football team. Let’s put an end to this Law!