Sheriff To Sharpton: Go Back To New York, Mind Your Own Business

CLEARWATER, FL –Civil rights leader, the Rev. Al Sharpton, didn’t come to Sunday’s "Rally for Justice" for Markeis McGlockton alone.

He was accompanied by a couple who knows all too well what McGlockton’s family is going through following the Stand Your Ground shooting death of 28-year-old McGlockton in the parking lot of a Clearwater convenience store July 19.

Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was killed in a 2012 Stand Your Ground shooting by Sanford security guard George Zimmerman, traveled to Clearwater to meet with McGlockton’s parents and the mother of his three young children who witnessed the shooting.

According to McGlockton’s father, Michael, Martin’s parents lunched with the McGlockton family prior to the 4 p.m. rally at St. John Primitive Baptist Church in Clearwater. Michael McGlockton described the conversation with Martin’s parents as “uplifting.”

The rally at the church attracted a standing room-only crowd anxious to hear Sharpton’s take on this latest Florida Stand Your Ground shooting of an unarmed black person by a white shooter.

“This case should not be tried in the parking lot of a gas station,” he said. “It should be tried in a court room.”

Sharpton was referring to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri's decision not to arrest McGlockton's shooter, Michael Drejka, 47. Under the Florida Stand Your Ground Law, the person seeking immunity under the law cannot be arrested if the parameters of the shooting fit the intent of the law. Gualtieri felt it did in this case.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office handed over the results of its investigation to Pinellas-Pasco County State Attorney Bernie McCabe last week. It will be up to McCabe to decide if charges will be filed against Drejka.

Sharpton had harsh words for President Donald Trump who hosted a campaign rally in Tampa less than two weeks after McGlockton was killed.

While Trump talked about issues like requiring photo identification to vote (something Florida already requires) he never mentioned the controversial Clearwater shooting.

“This is a real disgrace that the president of the United States would come to Tampa and talk about voter IDs and not one time mention Stand Your Ground or what happened to Markeis McGlockton.”

Also on hand for the rally were all five Democratic candidates for Florida governor.

“I think I stand for myself and all of the (Democratic) candidates for governor when I say that, if any of us become governor, we will repeal this horrible law,” said Philip Levine, former mayor of Miami Beach.

Former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham said the shooting impacted her both as a mother and as a politician.

“I come today as a mom, and somebody that is a mom cannot even imagine the heartbreak the
family of Markeis must feel for the loss of their son," she said.

Like Sharpton, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum believes McCabe needs to charge Drejka.

“In the state of Florida, we allow vigilantes to take the law into their own hands; to become judge, jury and executioner. Stand Your Ground has no place in civilized society -- period,” he said.

As for assertions that the candidates are politicizing the issue for votes as the Aug. 28 Primary nears, Palm Beach businessman Jeff Greene said he’s no Johnny-come-lately in opposing the Stand Your Ground law.

“I’m not politicizing anything,” he said. “I’ve been against Stand Your Ground the first time I heard that ridiculous law existed.”

When asked his impressions on the rally, Gualtieri said he didn't pay much attention to it.

"It was a bunch of rhetoric," he said. "I don't really care what Al Sharpton has to say. Go back to New York and mind your own business."

As for the criticism of the Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Gualtieri, a staunch Republican, said, "Learn the facts and learn the law. Then you can opine."

Related stories:

Civil Rights Leader To Attend Rally For Stand Your Ground Victim

Detractors A No Show At Stand Your Ground Press Conference

Clearwater Stand Your Ground Case Now In State Attorney's Hands

Pinellas Sheriff: Stand Your Ground Applies In July 19 Shooting

Trayvon Martin's Lawyer Joins Clearwater Stand Your Ground Case

Attorney Says Stand Your Ground Defense Not Justified In Shooting

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