FLORIDA DEMOCRATS DEMAND JUSTICE FOR AJ OWENS
Chair Nikki Fried calls for reforms to Stand Your Ground laws.
June 7, 2023
Tallahassee, FL — In response to the murder of Ajike “AJ” Owens of Ocala, the Florida Democratic Party has released the following statement:
We demand justice for the murder of AJ Owens,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried. “While we are happy that the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has finally made an arrest in this case, there can be no justice for AJ until the Florida Legislature passes sweeping reforms to our Stand Your Ground laws.
These outdated statutes embolden people to escalate conflicts past the point of no return. We can’t continue to ignore the deaths of innocent Floridians for the sake of preserving gun culture — our top priority has to be the safety of our communities. People should feel comfortable and safe letting their kids play in their neighborhoods.
Above all, we grieve for and with AJ’s children, who now have to grow up without their mother, and for all of her loved ones as they mourn.
