Stevie Wonder To Boycott Florida

Following the acquittal last weekend of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, Stevie Wonder says he won’t perform in Florida or anywhere else that recognizes the “Stand Your Ground” law, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The law permits the use of force for self-defense without an obligation to retreat first.

“I decided today that until the Stand Your Ground law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again,” Wonder on Sunday during a concert in Quebec City. “As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world.”

The singer has also asked that his fans participate in the boycott.

“The truth is that – for those of you who’ve lost in the battle for justice, wherever that fits in any part of the world – we can’t bring them back,” Wonder said. “What we can do is we can let our voices be heard. And we can vote in our various countries throughout the world for change and equality for everybody. That’s what I know we can do.”

Musicians including Nicki Minaj, Mandy Moore and Flo Ridawent online to express their disapproval of the verdict, while protests against the verdict have broken out in many U.S. cities.