Government Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill on anti-rioting in Florida that increases the penalties for crimes during riots and is aimed at combating “public disorder”.
“If you look at the breadth of this particular legislation, it is the strongest legislation against scientific enforcement in the country against riots,” DeSantis said at a news conference. “There’s just nothing nearby.”
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis points out during a news conference on Sunday, April 4, 2021 at the Manatee County Emergency Management Office in Palmetto, Florida (Associated Press)
The Florida Senate passed the bill 23-17 last week. It was seen as a response to protests in the country due to police brutality against African Americans.
The law, which takes effect immediately, grants civil legal immunity to people driving through protesters and blocking a road, and allows authorities to prevent arrested protesters from granting bail until after their first court date. The legislation increases the charge for a police officer during a riot and adds language that could force local governments to justify a reduction in law enforcement budgets.
The bill allows people to sue local governments for personal or property damage if they were determined to infringe on law enforcement during civil unrest. It also increases the fines for protesters who block roads or desecrate public monuments and create a new crime, ‘mob intimidation’.
Republicans say the bill will protect law enforcement and help prevent public disorder after recent unrest in the US
Civil rights, social justice groups and Democrats say it is an unconstitutional attack on freedom of speech that will make it easier for law enforcement to prosecute those involved in a protest.
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“The problem with this bill is that the language is so overwhelming and vague … that it catches someone peacefully protesting against a protest that becomes violent without their own fault,” said Kara Gross, the legislative director of ACLU Florida. . , according to the Orlando Sentinel. “Individuals who do not commit violent behavior under this bill can be arrested and charged with a third-degree offense and sentenced to up to five years in prison and loss of voting rights. The whole point of this is to instill fear in Floridians. . “
On Monday, DeSantis, a Republican, also spoke about the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter following the death of George Floyd last May.
According to the newspaper, the governor indicated that he could be acquitted.
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“I do not know what is going to happen,” DeSantis said. ‘But I can tell you that the case was messed up by the attorney general in Minnesota. They did not handle it properly. And there may be people disappointed. ‘