Stevie Wonder: Boycott Florida

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

Stevie Wonder boycotts Florida following George Zimmerman verdict

Florida fans of Stevie Wonder who want to see the legend sing are going to have to go on a road trip for the near future. During a performance in Quebec City, Canada, on Sunday, the Grammy-winning performer spoke out about the recent acquittal of George Zimmerman and announced he would boycott the state.

"I decided today that until the 'Stand Your Ground' law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again," he told the audience. "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."

Link

I'm not normally a fan of boycotts, as they often harm the very people they were intended to help. But I'm having second thoughts on that position.

9 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes. Boycott Florida.
	9 (100%)
	No. Use Other Methods.
	0 (0%)
	Not Sure.
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[treestar]

1. Not gonna play Sin City

I think that was a song with a video. MTV the old days.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

2. Sun City

Enjoy.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Stevie Wonder

Has reasons to not go to Florida. SYG laws may exist in other states - but he knows what happens to black people minding their own business in Florida. They get shot in the chest.

It's silly to question his personal decision. And anyone who thinks HE is silly and irrelevant - well . . . if he's so irrelevant? Why even panty bunch about this statement of his for one second?

I mean- I'm not going to cry if Teddy Nugent there doesn't want to play NJ because we don't have laws that let us just walk around putting bullets in black teenagers chests for shits and giggles and a good time.

[handmade34]

4. just responded to Stevie Wonder on Facebook

love your music but abandonment of the GOOD people is not right... how about a concert there in honor of all the victims and donate the money to helping change the laws...

the call to boycott Florida is insidious

[HockeyMom]

6. That sounds like a very good idea

A concert to honor all the victims of gun violence.

[JustAnotherGen]

9. I agree

But individuals have a right to not go someplace they don't want to go.

Truthfully - I would and most likely WILL go to Florida - Key West. But I'm not stepping foot out of the Miami Airport. I'll sit tight and get the connection down to that little airport and then be in the Conch Republic with the GOOD people - really good people of Florida. Love it there.

That said, I'm not highly visible - I'm not not known for having written/performed mighty protest songs in the 1960's, and didn't have one of my songs turned into as my father called it . . . the new "Hail To The Chief".

As an individual - he doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to do and is right to free speech is just as important as anyone else's.

[reflection]

5. Sounds good to me.

It's not as if SW is withholding some vital resource, he's just saying he won't play in FL until they revisit the SYG laws. Perfect non-violent protest in my opinion. History is replete with examples of successful boycotts that got people's attention, and money (or lack thereof) tends to get a lot of attention these days.

[Mike Nelson]

7. No, but Stevie Wonder has...

...the right idea. Attack the Florida - and other - laws, not the jury or Zimmerman. Stevie could go and rally his Florida audience.

[djean111]

8. Just think if Stevie got behind GOTV in Florida.

Much more useful.

[handmade34]

10. brilliant

[Baclava]

11. "As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state"

all of them?

[Beacool]

12. I'm not going to boycott Florida.

It's my second home and I intend to spend the holidays there. I have people that I love who live in the state and I will not stop from going just because of a bad verdict in a trial. I blame the result of the trial on the prosecutors for vowing to pressure and overcharging Zimmerman. It was not a murder 2 case. If they had charged him with manslaughter from the onset I think that the verdict would have been different.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

15. Another thing...

I also blame the prosecutors -- The massive delay in investigating the case at all massively hindered their case. And frankly, based on what I've heard from some of the prosecution witnesses (who apparently corroborated Zimmerman's story), I can't help but wonder if they didn't "throw the fight" as it were.

[Beacool]

16. I think that the problem was political and public pressure.

When a case becomes notorious, there's pressure from all sides. First of all, Zimmerman was not indicted by a Grand Jury. Why not? Why did they appoint a special prosecutor? Why did they charge him with murder 2, a move that surprised the legal community? Manslaughter was the proper charge.

[CakeGrrl]

13. Hit the GOP-controlled state government in the wallet

When you threaten GOPers' money, they may take notice.

[Sheepshank]

14. At least SYG is a noble cause

Cannot name names, but a local concert tour by a well known band was cancelled because the state liquor board would not allow the free flow and sales of hard liquor during the concert...only beer was permitted.

So hold out on concerts for the sake of liquor or a statement against SYG.....Stevie Wonder wins that one.

[Liberal_in_LA]

17. not sure. bump for more voting