By: Taren Vaughan
Boycott Florida is the thought of many people after hearing yesterday’s verdict. Last night was a very difficult time for many of us as we became filled with anger and sadness the moment we realized George Zimmerman was about to walk out of the courtroom a free man after he took the life of a 17-year-old boy who was minding his own business on his way home from a convenience store. A number of Black celebrities and other supporters of Trayvon and his family took to their social media accounts to express how devastated and disgusted they were over the verdict. The NAACP immediately sprung into action and started a petition to encourage President Obama and his administration to file civil rights charges with the DOJ against George Zimmerman for murdering Trayvon Martin.
Though our hearts are heavy at this time and many of us are still very upset over the outcome of the trial, we are making a solid effort to fight back, not with violence, but in the form of peaceful protests and boycotts. Protestors have come together in an attempt to urge people to boycott Florida and not give the state another dime of their money. The Boycott Florida Facebook page was started up shortly after the verdict was announced and the creators went to the extent of generating a list of Florida-based companies people should not give their hard-earned dollars to anymore.
The message on the Boycott Florida Facebook page reads:
Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law” killed Trayvon Martin’s opportunity for justice. Stand Your Ground must be repealed and corporations based in Florida that profit from our patronage must stand with us against Stand Your Ground or we will make them pay in their pockets.
Economic embargos and boycotts have worked to debilitate America’s unjust laws like Jim Crow and alienate and starve countries like Cuba. A focused, targeted and public economic embargo of Florida-based corporations will force them to take a stand against Stand Your Ground in their own interests.
The page goes on to list specific companies and corporations that people should not support in the state of Florida until they take a stand against the “Stand Your Ground” law:
1. Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL
2. Publix Supermarkets , Headquarters: Lakeland, FL
3. Carnival Cruise Company, Miami
4. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Miami
5. DHL Express, Miami
6. Darden Restaurants, Orlando (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorm Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Eddie Vs, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52)
7. Lennar Corp, Miami
8. Auto Nation
9. HERTZ, Estero, Florida
10. Office Depot, Boca Raton
11. Winn-Dixie Stores
12. Stein Mart, Jacksonville, FL
13. Friend Finder.com, Big Church.com, Perfect Match.com, Amigos.com
In addition to boycotting companies in the state of Florida, you can also donate money to the Trayvon Martin Foundation. As the fight for justice continues, we hope and pray that serious changes are made to the current laws in the state of Florida as they are clearly not made to protect everyone.
I’m down.
I’ve already started boycotting Florida. Glad to see others do the same.
Yes! I’m boycotting Florida too!
Now this is PROGRESS.
I am for the boycotting because things have to change. My nephews wont step foot in the state of Florida as far as I am concerned.
Liked the page. I’m boycotting. Enough is enough.
Love it.
And the work continues! #BoycottFlorida
#BoycottFlorida #JusticeForTrayvon
Great news. Looks like the movement continues.
*face palm* Welp, looks like no more Publix for me. *shrug*
It’s time to make Florida the South Africa of the 80’s.
We will shame (and not support) celebrities who visit, film, do business ie have concerts, videos or make music there.
And as consumers we will boycott the tourism industry in Florida because obviously it is a very dangerous place.
I cancelled my Florida trip last night and will not support anything involved with the state.
Hello HowAboutThat — I am one of the volunteers from Boycott Florida at http://www.facebook.com/boycottflorida . Would you please share your story about the trip you cancelled to Florida? We need testimonies from people like you to encourage others to Boycott Florida-based corporations and tourism.
Please share your testimonies at http://www.facebook.com/boycottflorida .
Hello HowAboutThat — I am one of the volunteers from Boycott Florida at http://www.facebook.com/boycottflorida . Would you please share your story about the trip you cancelled to Florida? We need testimonies from people like you to encourage others to Boycott Florida-based corporations and tourism.
Please share your testimonies at http://www.facebook.com/boycottflorida .
once i get payed i;m donating
While I’m all for boycotting, I’m more interested in being prepared. So to my sisters and brother on this site I strongly suggest that you take the following steps if you’ve not already.
1. In your city/county, apply for your permit to legally carry a firearm. Period. It’s your constitutional right to do so. Make it happen. Do it today if you can.
2. Once you are legally allowed to carry a firearm, go purchase a firearm. If you’re an average sized woman I suggest a .38. It’s small with a smallish barrel and can be easily carried in a purse. This is my suggestion ladies: “Smith & Wesson Model 642 Airweight Revolver” If you’re an average sized man I suggest the “Smith & Wesson M&P360 Revolver” (I suggest a revolver because they are typically easier to maintain, they don’t jam as easily and you can keep your shells.)
3. Once you are LEGALLY permitted to carry your firearm and you have LEGALLY obtained your firearm proceed to the nearest firearms safety class and learn EVERYTHING about your firearm. How to clean it, how to load it, how to fire it, how to carry it, how to take it apart, how to store it in your home and in your automobile… EVERYTHING!
4. Go to the Gun Range Regularly. Let me repeat that… GO TO THE GUN RANGE REGULARLY! Take a friend. Form a meetup group. Join a group of others if you feel uncomfortable but GO! Become friends with your firearm.
5. Carry your legally permitted and purchased firearm everywhere you are legally permitted to carry it.”
I know… you don’t like guns and they are dangerous and you don’t think you’ll ever need one… however its’ better by far to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. I’d be more than willing to assist any of you with whatever knowledge that I have.
Peace
You left out Disney Cruise Lines – they’re headquartered in Celebration, near WDW! (But I’m staycationing here and cruising from there with that line anyways…)
We must continue to stand up for what is right! Whatever we have to do we must! I will email all of my friends and acquaintances and encourage them to read, write, sign petitions and boycott until justice is won!