Ted Cruz Tells Trayvon Martin's Mom 'Stand Your Ground' Is Not About Race
During a Senate hearing on "stand your ground" laws and public safety, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tried to dismiss claims that such laws had racial implications. Because many black people are victims of violent crime and need to defend themselves, Cruz said, "the notion that 'stand your ground' laws are some form of veiled racism may be a convenient political attack, but it is not borne out by the fact remotely." The chair of the subcommittee, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, offered a quick and biting rebuttal. Sitting in front of the two was Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin's mother.
The hearing stemmed from the 2012 shooting of Martin, the Florida teenager shot to death while walking back from the convenience store after being confronted by neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. That case prompted new consideration of the type of self-defense law that, at first, allowed Zimmerman to go free without criminal charges.
Cruz, echoing a common line from conservatives, argued that the laws benefit African-Americans — slyly citing Barack Obama's statements 2004 in defense of his position.
Cruz: The chairman of this committee, a moment ago, made a remarkable statement that to the effect that no one could reasonably believe that "stand your ground" laws protect those in the African-American communities who are victims of violent crimes. I think that is a remarkable statement on many, many fronts, including the fact that a great many African-Americans find themselves victims of violent crime, and have asserted this defense to defend themselves, defend their families, defend their children.
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http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2013/10/cruz-and-durbin-battle-over-race-and-stand-your-ground/71054/
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