STATEMENT FROM REV. AL SHARPTON REGARDING THE ARREST OF MICHAEL DREJKA, MAN ACCUSED IN DEATH OF UNARMED MARKEIS MCGLOCKTON

NEW YORK — The Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights leader and President of National Action Network (NAN), released the following statement following the news that the Florida State Attorney’s Office will file charges in the state’s latest “stand your ground” case. Sharpton visited Clearwater this month to call for an end to stand your ground laws around the country.

“NAN commends the Florida State Attorney’s Office for its decision to file manslaughter charges against Michael Drejka, who shot and killed Markeis McGlockton last month in a gross abuse of the state’s ‘stand your ground’ laws. These laws are an abomination that systematize a method of vigilante justice that consistently provides cover to racists and bigots for murdering innocent Black Americans – which is why I visited Clearwater this month to stand with NAN leaders and Florida’s Democratic candidates for Governor to call for putting an end to these kinds of laws once and for all. Today’s charges offer a ray of hope – but our work is not done. NAN will continue its work as the leading advocate for change in our nation’s broken criminal justice system.”

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About National Action Network

National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender.

For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net