Florida guv wants Jesse Jackson to apologize

Tallahassee, Fla. • Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday demanded an apology from longtime civil-rights activist Jesse Jackson for comparing the state's struggle with the Trayvon Martin case to the civil rights clashes with police during the 1960s in Selma, Ala.

Jackson joined the protest this week and called Florida the "Selma of our time" and even compared Scott to former Alabama Gov. George Wallace. While he was governor, Wallace famously stood in the door at the University of Alabama to try to block the entry of two black students. Jackson also made references to Florida as an apartheid state.

Scott in a release blasted Jackson's comments as "reckless" and "divisive" and said that he should apologize to residents.

"It is unfortunate that he would come to Florida to insult Floridians and divide our state at a time when we are striving for unity and healing," Scott said.

But Jackson — who spent Tuesday night with protesters at the state Capitol — stuck by his comments Wednesday and said he wanted to change the disparities that exist in the state instead of resorting to "name calling."

The flurry between the Republican governor and Jackson marked one of the few reactions from Scott since a group began occupying the Capitol after George Zimmerman was acquitted on July 13 in the shooting death of Martin. Protesters have said they will not leave until Scott calls a special session to have legislators change the state's "stand your ground" law and address other issues. Scott, who did meet once with protest leaders, has steadfastly refused to call a session.

Scott's criticism was quickly echoed by other Republicans including newly elected legislator Mike Hill. Hill, R-Pensacola, who is the only black GOP member of the Legislature.

"When Jackson uses language that describes us as an apartheid state and compares our governor to one of history's most notorious bigots, he is either hopelessly out of touch or purposefully dishonest," said Hill, who also called Jackson's comments a "disgrace."

But Jackson defended his remarks, ticking off a list of conditions in the state that he said made it "apartheid-like." He cited the state's voting laws, statistics on juvenile criminals and the fact that more than 40 percent of Florida's prison population is black while making up just 17 percent of the state's population. But Jackson added that he doesn't want to fight the governor, and would prefer to work with him to change policies like the "stand your ground" law that he said "incentivizes" violence.

Senate President Don Gaetz said earlier that while he understands that some people are "frustrated" with the verdict that doesn't mean the law should be changed. —

Zimmerman stopped for speeding in Texas

Forney, Texas • George Zimmerman, the neighborhood-watch volunteer who was cleared of all charges in the Florida shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, was stopped for speeding on a highway near Dallas, officials said Wednesday. Forney police stopped Zimmerman on Sunday as he drove west on U.S. 80, about 20 miles east of Dallas. A police dashcam video released Wednesday shows an officer interacting with Zimmerman after pulling him over.Although the officer's comments indicated Zimmerman had a gun, a weapon can't be seen, and it's not clear that he had one.

The Associated Press