Listen Live
Majic 102.3/92.7 Featured Video
CLOSE

In speech, Brown discusses Zimmerman Verdict

ORLANDO, Fl. (July 15, 2013) – Today during the First Plenary Session of the NAACP’s 104th Convention in Orlando, on behalf of the O’Malley-Brown Administration, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown accepted an award for leadership in repealing Maryland’s death penalty. In his remarks, Brown discussed the progress we’ve made in Maryland over the last several years including the passage of the Maryland Dream Act, expanding early voting and passing common sense gun safety legislation. Brown also took the opportunity to address the recent verdict in the George Zimmerman Trial.

“I’m honored to accept this award from the NAACP and its outstanding President, Ben Jealous,” said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown. “In Maryland, we’ve had great success at building a better, more just place to live, work and raise a family. Together in just the last few years, we’ve abolished the unfair and racially biased death penalty, we’ve made voting easier and more accessible to Marylanders, we’ve passed the Maryland Dream Act for our students and we’ve taken real action to protect our children from gun violence. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are headed in the right direction.”

On the Zimmerman verdict, Brown added: “Our country mourns the loss of a 17 year-old son, and we struggle as caring Americans to process the recent jury decision. I have two sons and, like all parents, I want to do all I can to protect them from injustice, ignorance and pain. But this tragic death makes it clearer than ever before that our children are subject to the world we prepare for them. Each of us, families, neighbors, even strangers, have an obligation to contribute to a better, safer world for all of our children, not just those we raise. As a nation, we can do more, and we must. We must do more than simply protect them. We must fight to build communities that nurture them, that look first for their potential, not their threat. While our thoughts and prayers go out to the Martin family, they should be accompanied by a renewed commitment to protect all children, nurture tolerance and fight for justice.”

NAACP description of the award Lt. Governor Brown accepted:

In recognition of your courage and unwavering leadership in advancing equal justice by abolishing the death penalty in Maryland and being the first state below the Mason Dixon line to do so.

Presented by the NAACP to Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown State of Maryland on July 15, 2013 104th Annual NAACP Convention Orlando, Florida.

 

###