Markeis McGlockton: Politicians join Florida rally against ‘Stand Your Ground’ law

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Politicians, some up for election, on Saturday announced plans to attend a rally in Clearwater, Fla., to protest the state’s controversial Stand Your Ground law amid the death of Markeis McGlockton.

Indeed, election time is around the corner in contentious races around the nation. And Florida’s governors race is no exception. Tampabay.com, however, noted that it took until Saturday evening for a majority of the five Democrats running for governor to announce they were attending the Sunday “Rally for Markeis McGlockton.”

READ MORE: Mayor calls on Florida governor to suspend ‘Stand Your Ground’ law after Markeis McGlockton’s death

Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene was among the first to confirm that he would be joining the Rev. Al Sharpton to protest “stand your ground” laws, the report says.

McGlockton was shot killed nearly three weeks ago in July at a convenience store parking lot during an argument about a handicap parking space. Under the controversial Florida law, gunman Michael Drejkahe is protected and cannot be arrested, according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. The state attorney is now reviewing the case to decide if charges will be filed against Drejka. 

“Greene has been an outspoken advocate of gun control during his campaign, supporting the ban of assault rifles and suggesting a buy-back for the military-grade weapons,”  said Claire VanSusteren, Greene’s campaign spokeswoman.

Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine also announced Saturday evening that he also planned to attend the rally.

“Mayor Levine will stand with community and state leaders and speak out against the controversial stand your ground’ law,” said a release from his campaign manager Saturday night. About an hour later, Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum also confirmed that he planned to attend the rally with Virginia’s lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax; the second African-American elected statewide.

Matt Harringer announced Sunday morning that former congresswoman Gwen Graham would also be on hand to support the protest. But by noon on Sunday, the remaining candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, Chris King, had not announced plans to attend the event. 

READ MORE: 5 Things to know about Markeis McGlockton, the latest victim of ‘Stand Your Ground’

As TheGrio previously reported, Sharpton announced plans last week to line the streets with demonstrators in Florida to protest the shooting death of McGlockton. Hundreds of people are expected to join the civil rights activist at the rally today as he speaks about the stand your ground case.

“McGlockton’s death has reinvigorated conversation around Florida’s Stand Your Ground law,” Sharpton said Sunday on his MSNBC’s PoliticsNation.