Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law has created an environment for Black boys that is intolerable. As a mother, I cannot sit by and watch as children are murdered as a matter of public policy. The murder of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teenager, is an example of dangerous policies designed to put guns in the hands of people who shoot and kill Black childen on a whim and without fear of consequences. There are many others that are affected by this heinous law. We do not know all of their names but they are equally affected.
From Stand Your ground laws to modern day slavery in agriculture, Florida is the home of injustice. Florida farm workers are forced to work under inhumane conditions. Often robbed of wages and dignity, farm laborers, have created one of the most profitable businesses in Florida- Agriculture! We can change this today.
Florida is the second-largest producer of orange juice in the world, behind Brazil, and the state’s $9 billion citrus industry is a major economic force, contributing 76,000 jobs.
According to the 2010-11 Florida Agriculture Statistics Services (FASS) Citrus Summary, of the citrus harvested, 90 percent was processed into juice and the remainder was sold as fresh fruit. In addition to providing juice, processed citrus was used to produce other by-products, such as oils, fragrances, flavorings, and animal feed.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida ranks second in the value of vegetable production, and first in cash receipts for oranges, grapefruit, fresh snap beans, sweet corn, watermelons, fresh cucumbers, squash and sugarcane. The state is seventh in agricultural exports with $3.1 billion.
We must stop supporting this states unjust practices. We can change the state by refusing to purchase food grown in Florida.
Buy your food locally from farmers that are growing food free from exploitation. We can use food as a tool to organize for change in Florida's laws and any where else the Stand Your Ground Laws are in effect.
