Depending on your point of view, either demonstration-suppression or anti-riot legislation was signed into law on Monday by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He chose the blood-red district of Polk County as the place to do it. Officially titled âCombating Public Disorder,â the bill passed in the Florida Senate last Thursday. It immediately raises the stakes for protesters who get roped into mass arrests when demonstrations turn violent. Many actions formerly considered penalties are now misdemeanors or felonies, charges that weaponize the law against demonstrators the police determine to be rioters. So not only will jail terms become longer, but more people could lose their right to vote if convicted.