"Nothing short of an assassination..."

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Trayvon Martin was minding his own business when George Zimmerman decided he looked "suspicious," and took matters into his own hands. After calling 911, Zimmerman ignored the operator's instructions and followed Trayvon, ultimately catching up to him and fatally shooting him in the chest.

Zimmerman was a vigilante who murdered an unarmed teenager in cold blood, yet because he has invoked Florida's "Shoot First" law, he has escaped punishment for his crime.

The same thing could happen here in Pennsylvania.

Last June, our state lawmakers passed HB 40, Pennsylvania's own "Shoot First" law, which changed the rules in Pennsylvania to allow deadly force in public places, even if it isn’t absolutely necessary. Just like the law in Florida, it was written and lobbied for by the National Rifle Association. Police and prosecutors warned that something just like this could happen.

Across Pennsylvania, people are gathering to demand justice for Trayvon and action to prevent a similar tragedy from happening here.

PHILADELPHIA
Monday, March 26 @ 6:30PM
Love Park, Center City
North 15th St and JFK Blvd
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PITTSBURGH
Monday, March 26 @ 12:30PM
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Ave
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Send a message Governor Corbett and your legislators:

The man who murdered Trayvon is walking free because Florida lowered the standard for when it is okay to use deadly force. Last year our state government put a similar law on the books in Pennsylvania.

 

Send a message to Governor Corbett and your legislators asking them to repeal the deadly "shoot first" law before its too late. Remind them that the last thing we need in PA is a law that gives an excuse for murder.

 

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Read more about the pubic outcry:


Philadelphia Inquirer
PHILADELPHIA -  "In Harrisburg, both Gov. Corbett and the majority-holding Republican lawmakers knew the risks when they expanded the state's "castle" doctrine last year. With the Florida case, they have more than enough evidence that the law should be repealed."


 Pittsburgh Post Gazette
PITTSBURGH -  "The case has put a spotlight on Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which does not require a person to retreat to claim self-defense."


 Scranton Times Trib
SCRANTON - "Whatever the result of the investigation into the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., the case should lead gun-happy state legislatures, including Pennsylvania's, to review "stand your ground" laws."