TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – It's been more than three weeks since a determined group of protesters showed up at the Florida Capitol and vowed not to leave until they got a special session.And since that time, the small but vocal group sparked into action by the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial has attracted national media time, and support from celebrities.
The latest celebrity visit came Thursday when rapper Talib Kweli joined the group and said he planned to spend the night with other protesters who have been sleeping in the hallways near the offices of Gov. Rick Scott.
But there remain no signs that the standoff is going to end, at least anytime soon. Protesters continue to occupy the Capitol at night; state officials have chosen to not forcefully evict the group.
"This is an experiment in democracy and I believe we are changing hearts and minds,'' said Phillip Agnew, executive director of the main protest group, Dream Defenders.
Agnew, referring to the great flood referenced in the Bible, joked Thursday that "I think a lot of us would love to see what 40 days and 40 nights feels like.''
The group has a list of demands, which includes addressing zero tolerance policies in schools and repealing the "stand your ground'' law that became intertwined with the Zimmerman case.
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