It's been nine days since a six-person jury found George Zimmerman not guilty in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
Yet despite President Obama's unscripted personal address to the nation and the possibility of a civil case against Zimmerman, many Americans' anger over the acquittal hasn't dimmed.
In fact, popular outrage continues to flare up. And following Stevie Wonder's announcing that "until the Stand Your Ground law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again," it's being widely reported that celebrities like Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, and Madonna are joining the Florida boycott.
See also:
-Stevie Wonder Boycotting Florida "Until Stand Your Ground Is Abolished"
Originally published by April D. Ryan, a radio news veteran and longtime White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks, this list of 23 "artists joining [Stevie Wonder] in support of a change of in the Stand Your Ground Law in Florida" (allegedly provided by "sources close to the Stevie Wonder camp") may be nothing but mere rumor.
Artists Reportedly Joining Stevie Wonder's Florida Boycott*Via aprildryan.com
-Mary Mary
-Eddie Levert
-Rod Stewart
-Madonna
-Usher
-Patti LaBelle
-Kanye West
-Mary J. Blige
-Trey Songz
-Jay Z
-Rolling Stones
-Justin Timberlake
-R. Kelly
-Rihanna
-Alicia Keys
-Joe
-Will.i.am
-Keyshia Cole
-Young Jeezy
-Erykah Badu
-Wale
-Frankie Beverly
-Parliament
For example, Jay Z and Justin Timberlake haven't publicly announced their participation in the Florida boycott. Nor have they canceled their upcoming Legends of the Summer tour stop at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
We here at Crossfade have contacted sources for the Jay and JT concert, who say it's still unclear whether there is any truth to April D. Ryan's report.
As for other artists, Mother Jones has received word from the Rolling Stones' spokeswoman that "nobody's heard anything about this."
But gospel duo Mary Mary has confirmed their involvement with a blog post on ILoveMaryMary.com:
We will Stand with Stevie Wonder & Boycott Florida until the Stand Your Ground Law is changed! We love our fans but we MUST do something!! We understand a No from us isn't as big as a No from Stevie Wonder but if all our voices join together we can REALLY change things! Lets let our voices be heard. #JusticeForTrayvonMartin - Erica & Tina
Similarly, O'Jays frontman Eddie Levert pledged his support for Wonder's campaign via Facebook, writing:
Well!!!!! I'm joining my friend MR STEVIE WONDER IN THE BOYCOTT OF FLORIDA I WILL NOT PLAY THERE UNTIL THEY ADDRESS THIER GUN LAWS AND MAKE CHANGES
We've also reached out to many of the other acts. And we will continue to attempt to verify whether the Florida boycott is fact or fiction.
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