Tag: Florida

July 26, 2013 - Well, it took me a little while to figure out this confusion on many artists backing off, or seeming to back off, their signals to join Steve Wonder in his boycott of Florida after it was reported that they would. It's so simple.

Many musicians, athletes, and assorted millionaires make Florida their home, or their "base of operations", because Florida charges no state INCOME tax,  but they do have sales and property tax. It is one of a few favorite haven for millionaires stateside. Nice. When I read this article on The Grio I figured it out. In that post George Clinton comments what all artists and their representatives would similarly say, that to "boycott Florida is not practically maintained by those of use who reside in and whose base of operation is Florida."; which is many artists, all pulling in some serious income that is totally untaxed by the state. What do you think? Am I wrong? Leave a comment on the JTMP Facebook Page here.

July 26, 2013 - Did Jay-Z, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake signal they were going to join Stevie Wonder's boycott of Florida and then back off? Earlier this week April Ryan of American Urban Radio Network reported that the 3 musicians were going to boycott Florida along with Wonder, until the "Stand Your Ground" laws are repealed following the Trayvon Martin tragedy. But now, AceShowBiz is reporting that they is not what the artists and/or their representatives are saying now, 3 days later. The blogger is standing by her sources though. Earlier this week, JTMP also reported that those three were joining the boycott, quoting The Hill for a source. 

Anyways, as of today, all 3 are saying their are NOT boycotting Florida. No word on the other musicians and artists mentioned on the web such as The Rolling Stones, Kanye West, and others. Did they make a commitment and then change their mind? Did the musician's representatives mess up? Are the journalists wrong or mess up? Who knows....tell us what you think about the boycott and what might have happened on the JTMP Facebook Page. JTMP will post updates about what is going in with the Florida boycott almost daily, so check back. Read more on AceShowBiz website here.  (photo credit: Joella Marano/CC)

UPDATE JULY 26, 2012 - Earlier reports of Jay-Z, Rihanna and Justine Timberlake may be incorrect. Even though April Ryan is sticking by her sources, all 3 musicians have now said they are not boycotting Florida.

July 23, 2013 - More musicians have joined the boycott of Florida that was started by Stevie Wonder, as they call for the repeal of the "Stand Your Ground" laws in Florida and other states. The Rolling Stones, Kanye West, Jay Z, Young Jeezy, Wale, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Rihanna, R. Kelly and Alicia Keys have all joined the boycott. Many musicians have also expressed support for Stevie Wonder's stance, such as Bruce Springsteen, who dedicated a song "to justice for Trayvon Martin" at a recent concert in Ireland. Beyonce and Jay Z met with Trayvon's parents recently at a rally in New York City. Read more on The Hill website here. What do you think? Start or join a conversation on our Facebook Page.

What's hilarious, is the website Breitbart.com put up a post that Stevie Wonder's call for other musicians to join his boycott was an "Epic Fail" and that "Musicians Ignore Wonder's Florida Boycott". No, your post and your hateful website is an EPIC FAIL.  (photo credit: Antonio Cruz/CC)

July 19, 2013 - The gospel duo Mary Mary has joined the boycott of Florida that was started by Stevie Wonder in the wake of the Trayvon Martin tragedy, calling for "Stand Your Ground" laws to be abolished. JTMP joined the boycott immediately, and calls for more entertainers to join also; we have had self-defense laws on the books for over 200 years that suited us fine. We don't need armed citizen vigilantes standing over dead bodies giving only their version of the "altercation" and walking away scott-free. Email your favorite entertainer and ask them to Boycott Florida until "Stand Your "Ground" laws are gone! Also, a Change.org petition to repeal the "Stand Your Ground Laws" as a result of the Trayvon Martin shooting has been started by Asia Lamb Cole HERE, so make sure you sign it! Below is the Tweet by Erica and Tina.  (photo credit: Krisanne Johnson/Public Domain)

July 16, 2013 - JTMP joins Stevie Wonder and others who have called for a boycott of Florida by entertainers and tourists until the "Stand Your Ground" law, that played a part in George Zimmerman shooting, killing the unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, and being found not guilty of either manslaughter or murder, is abolished. The Hollywood Reporter website reports that Stevie Wonder at a concert in Quebec told the crowd he would not be playing in the state of Florida until the law is "abolished", and also any state that recognizes the "Stand Your Ground" law. Wasn't Trayvon "standing his ground"?! Wonder also called on his fans to join the boycott saying, "The truth is that - for those who you who've lost in the battle for justice, wherever that fits in any part of the world - we can't bring them back. What we can do is we let our voices be heard. And we can vote in our various countries throughout the world for change and equality for everybody."  (photo credit: Pete Souza/CC - Obama w/ Stevie Wonder)

To hear his full statement, watch the video below, and to read more check out the Hollywood Reporter website here.