Contribute $5 to the fight to repeal “Shoot First” laws nationwide.

“I believed he was guilty.” —Juror No.4 (“Valerie”)

This past weekend a Florida jury failed to convict Michael Dunn for the murder of Jordan Davis. Now, juror No.4 has broken her silence and confirmed that it was the issue of self-defense that lead some jurors to detract from the overwhelming majority who wanted to convict Dunn of first-degree murder.¹ Florida’s so-called “Stand Your Ground” law was mentioned to the jury during their instructions when Dunn’s defense lawyer said his client had a right to “stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force.”²

Anywhere there is a so-called “Stand Your Ground” or “Shoot First” law we are poised to see miscarriages of justice like we have witnessed in Florida. These laws provide immunity for vigilantes who neglected their duty to retreat. And when you add deep-rooted racial prejudice like Dunn’s,³ they become even more dangerous as a threat to Black youth, who these shooters profile as “thugs” and criminals.

Can you pitch in $5 or more today to make sure ColorOfChange has the resources to fight and win repeal of “Shoot First” across the country?

Because of “Shoot First” we saw a jury fail to convict Dunn for the murder he actually committed just a day before what would’ve been the 19th birthday of his victim, Jordan. Had it not been for “Shoot First”-influenced instructions in Dunn’s trial, we might have seen justice completely carried out for all of the charges against Dunn and not a select few.⁴

Florida’s “Shoot First” law is the product of an obsessed right-wing gun industry lobby — those who have no actual concern about public safety or self defense. It’s because of their work to increase profits for this industry that “Shoot First” is becoming a refuge for shooters in states with susceptible political leadership across the country.⁵

We have to demand accountability from our elected officials around the dangers of “Shoot First”: we’re urging elected officials to repeal these dangerous laws that put everyone at risk. We will provide support to the officials that have the courage to fight for us and we will increase pressure on those that don’t.

Help stop the next Michael Dunn: please make a contribution of $5 or more today.

Thanks and Peace,

–Rashad, Matt, Arisha, Aimée, William, Johnny and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team    February 20th, 2014

References

1. “Florida ‘loud music’ trial juror: ‘I believed he was guilty’,” CNN, 02-19-14 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3300?t=6&akid=3307.1174326.HhLY-I

2. “How To Make Sense Of The Michael Dunn Verdict,'” ThinkProgress, 02-15-14 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3299?t=8&akid=3307.1174326.HhLY-I

3. “Michael Dunn Takes Stand, Racist Letters Take Center Stage Online,” The Root, 02-11-14 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3301?t=10&akid=3307.1174326.HhLY-I

4. “Fla. man faces 60 years for shooting at teens,” USA Today, 02-16-14 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/3302?t=12&akid=3307.1174326.HhLY-I

5. “ALEC and the NRA: Profiting from gun violence,” ColorOfChange campaign, 01-04-13 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/2834?t=14&akid=3307.1174326.HhLY-I