Rev. Al Sharpton has joined growing calls for the state of Florida to end its controversial “stand your ground” law after the death of Markeis McGlockton.
Flanked by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, McGlockton’s family and local government and faith leaders, Sharpton addressed a large crowd at a rally at the St. John Primitive Baptist Church in Clearwater Sunday.
“It has happened again. Again we are here. We are going to keep coming until we see justice in this case,” Sharpton said, referring to McGlockton’s death.
It has been just over two weeks since the 28-year-old father of three was shot and killed during an argument over a handicapped parking spot.
His death made national headlines after the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office declined to press charges against the man who shot him, 47-year-Michael Drejka, citing Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law that grants immunity to anyone who uses deadly force if they can reasonably claim they were defending themselves.
McGlockton’s family insists the shooting does not fall under the “Stand Your Ground” law. They say he was just protecting his family.
Benjamin Crump, the attorney who represented Trayvon Martin’s family, has now been hired to represent his girlfriend, Brittany Jacobs, who along with their 5-year-old son witnessed the shooting.
McGlockton’s family has hired attorney Michele Rayner of Rayner Robinson Law Firm.
