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Task Force On Citizens Safety to hold first public meeting today

Republican State Representative from Ocala, Dennis Baxley, will be traveling to Seminole County today for the first public meeting of the Task Force on Citizens Safety and Protection.  The panel was created by Florida Governor Rick Scott after neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman shot unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin in Sanford and claimed self-defense.  The "stand your ground" law states that a person may use deadly force against another if he or she feels threatened. Florida's 89.1, WUFT-FM's Blake Alderman talked with Baxley about the goals the panel hopes to accomplish.

http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/BaxleyTaskforceMtgJune.mp3

Trayvon Martin's parents are expected to attend Tuesday's public meeting.  They have said they'll bring a petition with more than 340-thousand signatures asking that the "stand your ground" law be revised or repealed.  The panel plans to convene around the state to assess public opinion about the law and will then advise the Governor about whether changes should be made.

Blake is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.