Councilman Mosby Urges Florida Boycott

Councilman Nick Mosby wants the city to reevaluate doing business with companies from Florida because of the state’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law, which defense attorneys used during the murder trial of George Zimmerman.

Mosby, who will introduce the resolution to the Baltimore City Council on Monday, said he decided to take the step because rallies, demonstrations and other public displays of outrage about the verdict and the controversial law could only go so far.  

"At the end of the day, how can we really communicate to the folks in Florida that we’re concerned about what has been done?" Mosby asked.

He said he wasn't sure how much business the city does with companies from the state, but said the firm hired to conduct the search for a new fire chief is based in Florida. He said he wasn’t calling for that contract to be reconsidered.

"That ship has sailed," Mosby said.

Mosby, who represents Medfield, Woodberry and parts of Hampden in North Baltimore, said he is not seeking immediate adoption, but wants the resolution assigned to a committee so the issue will continue to be discussed. 

The resolution calls for: “Divestment from the State of Florida FOR the purpose of requesting that the City of Baltimore review and minimize it's business dealings connected with the State of Florida, and municipalities in Florida, in protest of that state's "Stand Your Ground” law.”

The resolution comes just weeks after a Florida jury found George Zimmerman not guilty of killing 17-year-old Trayon Martin.  Zimmerman shot and killed Martin, who was black, after reporting him to 911 as a “suspicious person” in February of 2012.

The prosecution argued Zimmerman murdered Martin, while the defense said it was self-defense after the teenager attacked Zimmerman.

What do you think about Councilman Nick Mosby's resolution?