NAACP Releases 'Trayvon's Law' Principles for State Legislative Advocacy

Principle package of laws will serve as legislative advocacy tools to prevent future tragedies like the death of Trayvon Martin

(Baltimore, MD) -- In light of the tragic death of Trayvon Martin and the overwhelming national awareness around numerous issues surrounding this case, the NAACP has developed a set of policy principles called “Trayvon’s Law” which embody legislative responses that will greatly reduce the likelihood of another tragedy like the killing of Trayvon Martin. The principles of Trayvon’s Law are:

Ending racial profiling;
Repealing stand your ground type laws;
Creating law enforcement accountability through effective police oversight;
Improving training and best practices for community watch groups; and
Mandating law enforcement data collection on homicide cases involving people of color.

"What happened to Trayvon Martin must never happen again," stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. "Trayvon's Law will serve as the foundation for community advocates as they work to end the laws and practices that contributed to his death and to create new policy that will prevent future tragedies."

“Trayvon’s Law provides a framework for activists to affect critical change in their states,” noted Dr. Niaz Kasravi, NAACP Criminal Justice Director. “If we can end practices like racial profiling and remove misguided ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws from the books, we will makes all community members safer.”

In Florida, the NAACP Florida State Conference and the Dream Defenders will advocate for their state to adopt Trayvon's law immediately. Their work could lead to an end to the dangerous Stand Your Ground law that played a role in the acquittal of George Zimmerman for following, approaching, and killing unarmed 17-year old Trayvon Martin 16 months ago.

“We will not rest until Trayvon’s law is fully implemented in our state,” stated Adora Obi Nweze, NAACP Florida State Conference President. “From a civilian oversight board of police to best practices for community watch volunteers, we will demand that the Governor and our legislators move quickly to adopt these principles before we are faced with another tragedy.”

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Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our five “Game Changer” issue areas here.


http://www.naacp.org/