Singer Harry Belafonte today joined protesters who have been occupying the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee for more than a week to demand a special legislative session to address racial profiling and the state’s “stand your ground” law. Gov. Rick Scott met with representatives of a group called the Dream Defenders a week ago and stood by the legislation, prompting the protesters to double down and vow not to leave until their demands were met.
According to the Associated Press, Belafonte said that Gov. Scott still had the opportunity to act before protests intensified and the situation in the capitol became “ungovernable.” The crowd has grown from around 20 to as many as 250.
About 250 people crowding the hallway outside Scott's office. @Dreamdefenders @miamiherald pic.twitter.com/rKSJIwNWTN
— Kathleen McGrory (@kmcgrory) July 26, 2013
Mr. Harry Belafonte being led in by our youth. #takeoverfl #thetakeover http://t.co/6TUU1U1FjD
— Charlene #DefundPolice Carruthers (@CharleneCac) July 26, 2013
Happening now in Florida. Applauding @Dreamdefenders, allies + our wise elder @harrybelafonte. #Trayvon #DontForget. pic.twitter.com/tcRLHzcL30.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) July 26, 2013
Breitbart.com’s Lee Stranahan was at the capitol and spoke briefly with Belafonte, who pinned the blame for the nation’s racial division squarely on the shoulders of the Tea Party, “but cited no specific examples.”
At the Capitol, biggest crowd of the Dream Defenders occupation so far. Place is packed.
— ??? ????????? ⏳ (@stranahan) July 26, 2013
MSNBC's extremely pale Chris Hayes is interviewing Harry Belafonte and Phil Agnew from the Dream Defenders as we speak.
— ??? ????????? ⏳ (@stranahan) July 26, 2013
In response to my question about black white split on Zimmerman verdict, Harry Belafonte calls out Tea Party for racial animus
— ??? ????????? ⏳ (@stranahan) July 26, 2013
In the meantime, more than 150 Dream Defenders are preparing to be locked in for another weekend. Protesters have been allowed to stay in the building over the weekend but are not allowed re-entry if they leave.
Correction 159* ppl are locked in for the weekend #TakeoverFL
— Dream Defenders (@Dreamdefenders) July 26, 2013
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