Trayvon Martin Case Verdict: Stevie Wonder Boycotting Florida for 'Stand Your Ground' Law
Famous and much beloved singer Stevie Wonder has spoken out in support of Trayvon Martin and in opposition of Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law.
Sunday, which was the night following George Zimmerman's not guilty verdict, Wonder had a concert in Quebec City, Canada. At the concert, Wonder told the audience that he would boycott Florida and other states with "Stand Your Ground" Laws.
"I decided today that until the 'Stand Your Ground' law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again. As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world," the 63-year-old singer said.
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Stevie Wonder went on to provide further explanation to his decision to boycott Florida.
"For those that we have lost in the battle for justice, wherever that fits in any part of the world - we can't bring them back. [All] we can do is we can let our voices be heard. And we can vote in our various countries throughout the world for change and equality for everybody. That's what I know we can do," he said.
Stevie Wonder has used his public spotlight to make statements about political matters in the past. In November of 2012, the singer canceled a performance in Los Angeles that was part of a gala celebration the Israeli Defense Forces, according to NBC News. Change.org circulated a petition asking Wonder not to perform at the gala, saying that the Israeli Defense Forces were "an institution which promotes, enables, and protects Israel's Apartheid regime."
Furthermore, back in 1991, Wonder boycotted performing in Arizona because the state did not recognize the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., according to the New York Daily News.
