A Florida jury's acquittal of George Zimmerman has enraged a nation, and critics are hoping to hit the Sunshine State where it could really hurt: in its coffers.
Zimmerman initially claimed Stand Your Ground as his defense in the murder of unarmed Miami Gardens teen Trayvon Martin, who was walking home from a convenience store when the neighborhood watch volunteer allegedly pursued him.
Although Zimmerman's defense did not ultimately use Stand Your Ground, the case has put the 2005 law under a microscope with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg claiming such laws "encourage deadly confrontations by enabling people to shoot first and argue 'justifiable homicide' later."
Outrage over the Zimmerman verdict has funneled into an online petition to boycott the state by withholding tourism until the controversial Stand Your Ground law is repealed:
Florida is not a safe place to take your family for vacation as long as Florida law permits a citizen to shoot or kill you for merely looking suspicious, and to do it with impunity. Boycott Florida tourism until this dangerous law is overturned. If the murder of Trayvon Martin isn't enough to get lawmaker's attention, maybe a loss in revenue to the state would be.
Over a thousand signees from South Korea, Italy, and the 49 other U.S. states chimed in to express their discontent with the Sunshine State:
"Florida, clean up your act or I won't be back!"
"Ever thought of seceding? You and Texas would make a lovely couple..."
"Why in the world would we vacation in a place that allows people to kill someone so casually?"
"Clearly the legislative, executive and judicial branches of of state and local government in Florida are not interested in either justice or public safety. I'm never going there again."
Once 2,000 signatures are collected, the message will be sent to the Florida House, Senate, and Governor Rick Scott.
Click below to see a Stand Your Ground repeal and other gun control measures that failed this year in the Florida Legislature:
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