Florida Government staffer Ron DeSantis said Thursday that he would approve an “anti-riot” bill that would impose severe criminal penalties on violent protesters once it was finalized.
The Senate in Florida approved HB 1 in a vote of 23-17, mostly along party lines, reports the Orlando Sentinel. DeSantis initially announced the proposal in September and was an outspoken supporter of the passage amid nationwide protests that caused violence and looting in major cities.
“This legislation strikes the right balance between protecting every Floridian’s constitutional right to assemble peacefully and ensuring that those who hide behind peaceful protests to cause violence in our communities will be punished,” the governor’s office said in a statement said. “Furthermore, this legislation ensures that no community in the state is defusing their police.”
“The governor is looking forward to signing HB 1 to the law,” his office added.
Apart from the increased criminal penalties for acts of violence during a riot, the bill contains a measure that requires the approval of the state for any change to a municipal budget that will reduce funding for the police. The clause was in response to calls to disregard police following the death of George Floyd in May last year.
HB 1 institutes a charge for the destruction of a memorial, flag or other historical structure. It will also hold local governments civilly accountable if they interfere with law enforcement efforts to respond to riots.
The bill passed the Senate, despite outspoken opposition from Democrats and civil rights groups who argued it was a violation of the First Amendment. Republicans argued that the legislation was intended to stem violence and not be politically motivated.
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Critics have accused DeSantis and other Republicans of trying to quell peaceful differences of opinion. The IDP-controlled state Senate has rejected a number of amendments that would narrow the scope of the bill and impose stricter penalties for police officers harming protesters.
“It will not stop anything except those who are scared. I am not scared,” said Senator Daryl Rouson, a Democrat. “I just want to tell people, keep knocking, keep protesting, keep rising despite an attempt to stifle voices.”