Why we must stop the Stand Your Ground bill
We have to act fast and show up strong.Republicans have placed a target on the backs of people of color. "Stand Your Ground," the controversial bill which let George Zimmerman off the hook for murdering innocent teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012, has been introduced into the Iowa Senate.If passed, this "shoot first" bill would allow anyone to use deadly force if they believe their safety is threatened. Skittles and the color of one's skin is not a threat.A paper from The Urban Institute which analyzed FBI data found that in "Stand Your Ground" states:
- The use of the defense by whites in the shooting of a black person is found to be justifiable 17 percent of the time, while the defense when used by blacks in the shooting of a white person is successful 1 percent of the time.
- In non "Stand Your Ground" states, the shooting of a black person by a white is found justified approximately 9 percent of the time, while the shooting of a white person by a black is found justified approximately 1 percent of the time.
- In "Stand Your Ground" states, white-on-black homicides are 354 percent more likely to be ruled justified than white-on-white homicides.
Make no mistake. "Stand Your Ground" has never been about self-defense. It's an ALEC and gun-lobby backed bill with a clear racial bias that puts our communities in danger.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
- Email the Iowa Senate Judiciary Sub-committee today to demand they protect people of color and vote against this racist bill.
- Join us Tuesday, January 24 at the Statehouse for a powerful day to resist, lobby legislators and FIGHT for the Iowa you want to see. We'll be meeting with the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss why we must stop the "Stand Your Ground" bill.
We need an Iowa that protects ALL citizens.