WINTER HAVEN – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law on Monday a sweeping bill that he says will increase punishment for people who violently riot, loot and destroy property, and punish cities that don’t protect lives and property and attempt to redirect funding for law enforcement.
But detractors say the law violates residents’ first-amendment rights to free speech and targets Black communities, which protested last summer following the death of an unarmed Black man, George Floyd, at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. DeSantis signed the bill on the day the jury in the trial of one of those officers was expected to receive the case.
Governor Ron DeSantis signs anti-rioting legislation
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Legislative leaders and law enforcement officials from across the state applaud the passage of House Bill 1 to prevent mob violence, support peaceful protest and stand with our law enforcement.
Winter Haven, Fla. – Today, during a press conference at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by legislative leadership and law enforcement officials from across the state to sign the “Combating Public Disorder Act” into law. The bill, HB 1, takes a robust approach to uphold the rule of law, stand with those serving in law enforcement and enforce Florida’s zero tolerance policy for violent and disorderly assemblies. The bill comes in the wake of ongoing violence, rioting and other forms of civil unrest throughout the United States over the last two years.
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A Florida sheriff warned the throngs of people moving to his state not to vote “the stupid way you did up north, or you’ll get what they got.”
“We’re a special place, and there are millions and millions of people who like to come here. And quite frankly, we like to have them here,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. “So we only want to share one thing as you move in hundreds a day: Welcome to Florida, but don’t register to vote and vote the stupid way you did up north, or you’ll get what they got.”
Florida s DeSantis signs controversial law targeting rioters, local police reform efforts
7:23 a.m.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed into law controversial anti-riot legislation that increases penalties for certain kinds of protests, creates a new crime called mob intimidation, requires that people arrested at protests remain in jail until their first court appearance, threatens sanctions for local municipalities that reduce or shift funding for law enforcement, and allows businesses to sue cities and local officials if the municipalities are found to have provided inadequate law enforcement protection during protests.
DeSantis, flanked by GOP officials and law enforcement officers, called the new law strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement measure in the country. Critics called the law unconstitutional and vowed to sue Florida.