The Rev. Jesse Jackson owes every Floridian an apology for likening the state’s “Stand Your Ground” laws to segregation, Florida Governor Rick Scott said Wednesday.
In a demonstration at the state capitol Tuesday, Jackson called Florida an “apartheid state” and called for the repeal of the state’s law allowing residents to protect themselves in their homes from intruders. He called on supporters of the repeal to boycott the state if the Department of Justice did not file a civil lawsuit against George Zimmerman, who was acquitted of murdering Trayvon Martin in a criminal suit earlier this month in Florida.
“Jesse Jackson owes every Floridian an apology for his reckless and divisive comments. It is unfortunate that he would come to Florida to insult Floridians and divide our state at a time when we are striving for unity and healing,” the Republican governor said in a statement Wednesday. “Floridians are a strong, resilient people. We are fortunate to live in a great state where all Floridians enjoy opportunities to get a great job and a world-class education.”
Likewise, Florida Republican Party Chairman Larry Curry called on Democrats to denounce Jackson’s offensive remarks.
“With Jesse Jackson having a history of making offensive remarks, like calling New York City ‘Hymietown,’ it’s surprising to see that Democrats are not denouncing Jackson for what he said about Florida and Governor Rick Scott,” Curry said. “Jesse Jackson’s attacks are offensive, inappropriate, divisive and ill-informed. We should be thankful to Governor Scott for his focus on uniting Florida during this time.”
Following his comments attacking Florida, Jackson proceeded to spend the night on the floor of the Capitol building in Tallahassee along with student protestors — who call themselves the “Dream Defenders” — the Orlando Sentinel reported. The protestors have been camped outside the governor’s office since Zimmerman’s acquittal two weeks ago.
The Dream Defenders want Scott to call an emergency session of the Florida legislature to reconsider the state’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws and consider a Trayvon Martin Civil Rights Act. The governor met with some of the protestors July 18, but refused their request.
“We’ve seen Southern governors before change their minds,” Jackson told the crowd of protestor, referring to former Alabama Gov. George Wallace’s efforts to continue segregation in the 1960s. “Wallace said we couldn’t go to the University of Alabama. He had to change his mind.”
Meanwhile, the Dream Defenders’ sit-in continues to drive up costs for the state. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement estimates it has cost more than $225,000 as of July 30 for the protesters to remain at the state Capitol.
