Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs New Anti-Riot Legislation

Governor DeSantis said that the new law “is the strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement piece of legislation in the country, and there’s just nothing even close.” The law hopes to prevent violent riots by criminalizing “violent or disorderly riots, obstructing roadways, destroying or toppling monuments, and harassment in public accommodations.” It also prohibits state funding to local governments that defund the police, as well as allowing victims of a violent riot to sue local governments for crimes relating to such riots. It specifically defines what a riot is. The law was signed on Monday and went into effect immediately. Conservative state Representative Anthony Sabatini responded to critics’ complaints that protesters’ rights would be infringed, he pointed out that if protesters don’t break the law, it has no effect on them. GEG

In a move meant to uphold law and order and avoid a repeat of the summer of leftist riots seen last year, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill which increases criminal penalties for crimes committed during riots and helps protect law enforcement agencies from local governments.

On Monday morning, during the signing ceremony, Gov. DeSantis declared that “It is the strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement piece of legislation in the country, and there’s just nothing even close.” The bill became law effective immediately.

The law, summarized here, hopes to prevent violent riots by criminalizing “violent or disorderly riots, obstructing roadways, destroying or toppling monuments, and harassment in public accommodations.” It also prohibits state funding to local governments who defund the police, as well as allowing victims of a violent riot to sue local governments for crimes relating to such riots.

The bill, first introduced after the summer of riots seen last year, was signed just days before the verdict of ex-cop Derek Chauvin is expected to be announced. Derek Chauvin is on trial for the murder of George Floyd last May. Cities around the country are anticipating mass protests and violent riots in the wake of the decision, with Minneapolis public schools closing for a few days and the NYPD telling officers that no unscheduled days off will be allowed.

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Summary of the law:   https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Combatting-Violence-Protection-Act.pdf




Florida: Proposed ‘Anti-Mob’ Law Would Allow Citizens to Shoot Rioters and Looters



Florida: Republican Governor Ron DeSantis reportedly is proposing “anti-mob” legislation that would expand the state’s Stand Your Ground law to allow armed citizens to defend themselves against violent rioters and looters. The legislation would make it a third-degree felony to block traffic during protests, give immunity to drivers who claim to accidentally hurt or kill protestors blocking traffic, and it would withhold state funds from cities that cut police budgets. -GEG

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is reportedly proposing “anti-mob” legislation that would expand the state’s Stand Your Ground law to allow armed citizens to defend themselves against violent rioters and looters, according to CBS4 News partner the Miami Herald.

The Stand Your Ground law protects those who kill someone if they’re in fear for their lives but this proposed legislation would expand the use of force justifications.

Those who oppose it say expanding the law could will give armed people the legal right to fatally shoot suspected looters, or anyone damaging a business.

This new push is reportedly in response to police brutality protests that happened in Florida and across the nation this year.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Legislation to Stop Soros-Funded Rioters


Florida: The “Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act,” would create new criminal offenses and increase penalties for those who target law enforcement and participate in violent or disorderly assemblies. Governor DeSantis said that our right to peacefully assemble is being taken advantage of by “professional agitators.” The new criminal charges make it a felony when a mob causes injury to other people or damage to property, obstructs traffic, and destroys public property. RICO charges may be applied to anyone who organizes or funds a violent or disorderly assembly. Stiffer penalties are extended for people who injure police officers. The State of Florida will cut aid to any local government that slashes their police budget, and the state will allow local governments to be sued if grossly negligent. [There are adequate laws covering most of these crimes that already exist, but the problem is the failure to enforce the law.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mJHqEgHKO0

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced new legislation to stop violent assemblies and protect law enforcement. The proposed legislation, the “Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act,” creates new criminal offenses and increases penalties for those who target law enforcement and participate in violent or disorderly assemblies.

“Our right to peacefully assemble is one of our most cherished as Americans, but throughout the country we’ve seen that right being taken advantage of by professional agitators, bent on sowing disorder and causing mayhem in our cities,” said Governor DeSantis. “I will not allow this kind of violence to occur here in Florida. The legislation announced today will not only combat rioting and looting, but also protect the men and women in law enforcement that wake up every day to keep us safe. I look forward to working with the Florida Legislature next session to sign this proposal into law.”

“Peaceful protesting is a constitutional right, but looting and disorderly rioting are not,” said Senate President-Designate Wilton Simpson. “We will continue to stand with our brave law enforcement officers as they protect and serve. This bill is a way to ensure that all Floridians can live in a safe and secure environment. I commend Governor DeSantis for his commitment to public safety.”

“Violence and destruction are the tools of terrorists, not reformers,” said House Speaker-Designate Chris Sprowls. “We live in a country founded on the power of words, and no group of self-appointed activists and anarchists can be allowed to deprive others of their life, liberty or property. I’m proud to stand with Governor DeSantis to say that in Florida we will respect the right of people to protest peacefully while defending the rule of law.”

The Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act has three components, outlined below:

New Criminal Offenses to Combat Rioting, Looting and Violence

  1. Prohibition on Violent or Disorderly Assemblies: 3rd degree felony when 7 or more persons are involved in an assembly and cause damage to property or injury to other persons.
  2. Prohibition on Obstructing Roadways: 3rd degree felony to obstruct traffic during an unpermitted protest, demonstration or violent or disorderly assembly; driver is NOT liable for injury or death caused if fleeing for safety from a mob.
  3. Prohibition on Destroying or Toppling Monuments: 2nd degree felony to destroy public property during a violent or disorderly assembly.
  4. Prohibition on Harassment in Public Accommodations: 1st degree misdemeanor for a participant in a violent or disorderly assembly to harass or intimidate a person at a public accommodation, such as a restaurant.
  5. RICO Liability: RICO liability attaches to anyone who organizes or funds a violent or disorderly assembly.

Increased Penalties

  1. Mandatory Minimum Jail Sentence: Striking a law enforcement officer (including with a projectile) during a violent or disorderly assembly = 6 months mandatory minimum jail sentence.
  2. Offense Enhancements: Offense and/or sentence enhancements for: (1) throwing an object during a violent or disorderly assembly that strikes a civilian or law enforcement officer; (2) assault/battery of a law enforcement officer during a violent or disorderly assembly; and (3) participation in a violent or disorderly assembly by an individual from another state.

Citizen and Taxpayer Protection Measures

  1. No “Defund the Police” Permitted: Prohibits state grants or aid to any local government that slashes the budget for law enforcement services.
  2. Victim Compensation: Waives sovereign immunity to allow a victim of a crime related to a violent or disorderly assembly to sue local government for damages where the local government is grossly negligent in protecting persons and property.
  3. Government Employment/Benefits: Terminates state benefits and makes anyone ineligible for employment by state/local government if convicted of participating in a violent or disorderly assembly.
  4. Bail: No bond or bail until first appearance in court if charged with a crime related to participating in a violent or disorderly assembly; rebuttable presumption against bond or bail after first appearance.

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Former Missouri Governor Eric Greitens Explains How to Defeat Antifa


Eric Greitens, the former governor of Missouri, says radical leftists in government are allowing looters go free, businesses to burn, police officers to be shot, BLM to attack people who are praying, and charging people who are merely defending themselves. He says that much of the problem is the failure of Republicans to even attempt to intervene. He says that, when he was Governor of Missouri, there was courage and clarity of purpose to protect freedom of speech but to stop cold in its tracks any attempt to injure people or destroy property. Greitens plans to run for the governorship again in 2024. -GEG