Navy Veteran Brings Petitions with Thousands of Signatures to Capitol Protest

Navy veteran James Williams headed to Tallahassee Tuesday to present the Dream Defenders with 67,000 signed petitions, 40,000 of which called for the pardon of Marissa Alexander, a Jacksonville woman who was sentenced to 20 years for firing a warning shot in a heated argument with her abusive husband. Alexander attempted to use Florida's Stand Your Ground law as her defense, but was found guilty.

Williams also brought an additional 27,000 signatures supporting Trayvon Martin and demanding that George Zimmerman be stripped of his gun rights.

"It's not right," said Williams. "If we don't say anything, it will continue."

Williams served in the Navy for 21 years and was a U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class. He is now retired and lives in Brazil. He learned how to launch a global petition via causes.com and through Facebook. His petition received signatures from people from all over the globe.

The Dream Defenders entered their 29th day of protest on Tuesday, and have vowed to remain at the Florida Capitol until a special session is called to discuss Stand Your Ground. Gov. Rick Scott already met with protesters in July and rejected a special session, but some legislators have begun polling the Florida secretary of state's office to create a special legislative session. So far, the office has received at least 32 signatures from legislators across the state. All are Democrats.

"They're young and focused and they won't take no for an answer," said Williams. "When I was in school, people of color were downgraded to be less than a human being. These are things you never forget."