In the aftermath of the shooting of an unarmed black man earlier this month in Clearwater, Florida one of the Democrats running for governor is calling on the current governor, Rick Scott, to declare a state of emergency and suspend the Stand Your Ground law. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum says the law has no place in civilized society. Gillum says it protects vigilantes who act as judge, jury, and executioner. Members of the black caucus in the Florida Legislature are also targeting Stand Your Ground, saying they'll propose common sense changes in the law during next year's legislative session.
The Reverend Al Sharpton is planning to be among demonstrators this coming Sunday attending a "Rally for Markeis McGlockton" in Clearwater. The 28 year old McGlockton was shot and killed in a convenience store parking lot after getting into an altercation over a parking spot. No charges have been filed against the shooter who cited the state's Stand Your Ground law.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told reporters today "I do not do what people want because of outrage," but added the investigation is ongoing and he will turn the case over to the State Attorney's office "shortly." His comments come nearly two weeks after Michael Drejka and Markeis McGlockton got into an argument over whether McGlockton's girlfriend should have been parked in the handicapped space at a convenience store in Clearwater. Video shows McGlockton shoving Drejka to the ground, which prompted Drejka to pull a gun and shoot McGlockton in the chest. Gualtieri said a person claiming Stand Your Ground can't be arrested unless there's clear evidence that they've committing a crime. He implored lawmakers to change the law if they don't like it.