Belafonte joins vigil at Gov. Scott's office; warns FL could become ungovernable
Belafonte joins vigil at Gov. Scott's office; warns FL could become ungovernable
By News July 27, 2013 6:50 am
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Stand your ground protest.
Urged on by singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte, a boisterous, multigenerational crowd of 200 chanted inside the Capitol on Friday afternoon, the 11th day of a sit-in outside Gov.Rick Scott's office, as many of them prepared to be locked in for a second weekend.The protesters, led by the "Dream Defenders," staged the sit-in in response to George Zimmerman's acquittal two weeks ago and are demanding that Scott call a special session to address the state's"stand your ground" law as well as other policies, including racial profiling, that they believe unfairly target minority youth.
Scott met briefly with the group last week but has remained out of Tallahassee and has said he has no intention of revisiting stand your ground.
Walking slowly with the aid of a cane, the soft-spoken 86-year- old celebrity encouraged the protesters, composed mainly of blacks and Hispanics, some of whom stood beside children who slept in strollers.
"I'm here to tell you those of us who have been on this campaign... are delighted, happy to be part of this," Belafonte told the crowd gathered around the state seal on the first floor of the Capitol.
He warned that lawmakers should make an effort to compromise with the protesters.
"If they reject you, then the world will pay attention. Florida could become ungovernable," Belafonte told the group. "Tens of thousands of people could come to Florida and stay here until your goals are achieved."
He paused, then shouted, "Call the session!"
The youngsters had been chanting that mantra throughout the day, onwhat appeared to be the largest and most vocal crowd since the sit-in began July 16.
Saying there is a "cultural conspiracy on race in America,"Belafonte told reporters he had met Phillip Agnew, the DreamDefenders' executive director, a month ago in New York.
On Friday he sat beside Agnew, whose brother, Daniel, was part ofthe protest.
Seeing the young protesters "makes my autumn heart dance like it was spring," a smiling Belafonte said. "Many of us are here to make sure this voice does not become obscure. It is our task to make sure that the where the Dream Defenders are stays relevant for along time on the American agenda until that agenda is satisfied."
The Agnews' parents, Theresa and Barney, drove 15 hours from Merrillville, Ind., to support their sons.
"I'm so proud of my sons Phillip and Daniel and wanted to show them that I'm with them in their fight for what seems to be unattainable, and that's a just justice system," Theresa Agnew said.
Phillip Agnew fired up the crowd with a sermon-like talk equating the country to a house "built on the backs of slaves."
Folks sitting around the kitchen table who notice that "the roof is leaking again" are "sent to the basement," Agnew said. "For far too long, we've lived in the basement. We've come from the basement and decided we're going to sleep on the floor."
He pleaded with others, including Republicans, to join the group.
"Put on your tool belt. The roof of racism needs fixing," he said.
Protesters from New York, Washington, D.C., and Tampa joined the sit-in before the weekend lockdown. Members of the group can come and go during the Capitol's regular business hours until 5 p.m.weekdays but will be locked in for the entire weekend.
They gave no indication Friday that they were ready to abandon their cause.
"I'm prepared to spend a whole month, a whole season," said Ciara Taylor, the Dream Defenders political director. "I'm prepared to be here until next legislative session if it's necessary. We all are prepared to do what it takes to win."
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