DESANTIS SIGNS ANTI-RIOT BILL
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DESANTIS SIGNS ANTI-RIOT BILL
. . . 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. . . .
DeSantis signed the bill on the day the jury in the trial of one of those officers was expected to receive the case.
Among many things, the “Combating Public Disorder” law:
- Allows the state to circumvent local authority and punish municipalities that attempt to reduce or eliminate funding for law enforcement
- Allow businesses damaged or destroyed in lootings or riots to sue municipalities that don’t provide law enforcement protection
- Increases legal charges for people who assault anyone, particularly law enforcement, or damage property during a riot
- Revises the prohibition on obstructing traffic by standing on the street
- Prohibits protesters from using or threatening to use imminent force against another person
- Requires a person arrested for rioting to be held in custody until their first appearance in court
- And prohibits defacing, injuring or damaging a memorial or historic property, including flags
“It is the strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement piece of legislation in the country and there’s just nothing even close,” DeSantis said at a Monday morning press conference before signing the bill. “If you riot, if you loot, if you harm others, particularly if you harm a law enforcement officer, during one of these violent assemblies, you’re going to jail. We’re going to hold you accountable and we’re not going to end up like Portland (Oregon), where this is just a daily occurrence for these people who are doing this. They get arrested, they got their mug shot taken and then they get right back on the street to do it again.” . . .
“Some local governments are telling police to stand down while cities were burned, while business were burned and people were being harmed. That’s a dereliction of duty,” DeSantis said, referring to cities like Portland, Seattle and Minneapolis, which saw weeks of rioting last summer. “If you’re derelict in your duty as a local government, if you tell law enforcement to stand down, then you’re responsible for the damage that ensues and someone’s been harmed or their property’s been destroyed, then they can sue you for compensation.” . . .
According to published reports, the city of St. Petersburg in January passed a law that diverted $850,000 for new police officers to instead create a “Community Assistance Liaison” program, and hire mental health workers to respond to some police calls.
The new law authorizes an Administration Commission in Tallahassee to overturn that budget. If that were to happen, the city would have to appeal to the commission and the governor’s office would conduct a budget hearing on the matter, making recommendations to the commission, which would then approve, amend or modify the municipality’s budget.
About two dozen law officers and state officials — all of them white — stood behind DeSantis as he made his announcement. Those who spoke all said the law upholds people’s constitutional right to protest.
Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson, who was born in Lakeland but represents Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties, helped spearhead the DeSantis initiative through the upper legislative body. . . .
“Somehow, this became a political punt issue, and I don’t know how it’s political to say, ‘I’m going to protect law enforcement, we’re going to protect people’s property and there’s going to be rules of engagement if you decide to riot.’ Not protest — you can peacefully protest every day and should peacefully protest if you feel like that’s necessary. But if you cross the line and you start damaging property, you start threatening law enforcement, then this law is going to have the enhanced penalties that exist here.”
House Speaker Chris Sprowls, who worked for seven years as an assistant state attorney in Pinellas and Pasco counties, noted that almost the same group of people in the room on Monday made a promise last September to Floridians that they would protect cities and citizens. . . .
Tampa saw some of the most violent protests in the state last summer, with crowds stopping traffic along Fowler Avenue, looting a jewelry store and clothing stores near University Square Mall and burning down Champs, a sporting goods store. A neighboring Asian restaurant was also set on fire. . . .
DeSantis criticized California Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who on Saturday told reporters that demonstrators “stay on the street and we’ve got to get more active, we’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.” . . .
“That is totally unacceptable,” DeSantis said of Waters’ remarks. He added that he is working to shepherd through the legislature $1,000 bonuses for law enforcement and first responders. . . .
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, whose department has come under scrutiny recently after a mentally ill Black jail inmate died while in custody, said the bill protects citizens, cops and the constitution.
“I’ve learned two things along the way – one, that crime will rise to the level a community will tolerate, and, two, government’s one and only responsibility is to protect its citizens,” said Ivey, who spent a lengthy career in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement before becoming Brevard County Sheriff. “And that’s exactly what this law does. It also gives law enforcement the teeth they need to hold those accountable that commit violence, destruction, mayhem on those here in the state of Florida.” . . . .
‘Silencing speech is what communist regimes do’
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, Florida’s lone statewide elected Democrat, ridiculed DeSantis and Republican leaders for embracing a measure she says defies free speech rights. . . .
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida also said that the legislation, which cleared the House and Senate along partisan lines, criminalizes Floridians exercising their First Amendment rights.
A number of civil rights organizations have already said they will likely seek to have the new law blocked by courts on constitutional grounds. The legislation was among the most controversial bills going before the Legislature, drawing dozens of opponents at every committee stop – while few Floridians stepped forward to speak in favor of the change. . . .
Local governments opposed standards in the legislation that make it more difficult to move dollars away from law enforcement funding.
Rep. Fentrice Driskell, D-Tampa, said the new law is poorly defined and “open to interpretation,” for law enforcement.
“This bill is not really designed to make our communities safer,” she said. “It’s further complicating things for Floridians, it’s infringing on their constitutional rights and it’s making it confusing for law enforcement officers because so much is open to interpretation, and I think it will have to be litigated in the courts.” Driskell added that DeSantis sought it more “for campaigning purposes than governing.” . . .
Share your prayers about this bill in the comments below. . .
(Excerpt from The Ledger. Article by Kimberly C. Moore and John Kennedy. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
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Comments
What did he have to say about the rioters who stormed the Capitol?? What does this governor have to say about the injustices and racial threats that marginalized people are subjected to EVERY DAY. What does he have to say about those in leadership standing for righteousness and working in ways that will display love and unity and bring healing to our wonderful USA humanity? As a Christian, I am looking to God for answers to our issues. I pray that love for fellow man will somehow become part of the agenda for all who are in power. No more them and us.
This needs prayer because it is already being challenged as being unconstitutional.
Thank you, Governor Desantis for taking a firm militant stance for what is right! It’s unbelievable that our current government is against the good of it’s people in the land! LORD, their only hope is YOU!! I ask that you have Your way in their hearts and save them to the uttermost!!! Please give the rioters and evil doers a “road to Damascus” moment with you! Open their eyes to truth and give them the desire to embrace it! In Your most Holy name I pray, Jesus, Amen!!
Thank you Governor DeSantis for signing “The Anti-Riot Bill.”Lord raise up Godly leaders in America. Father God, You have showed us love, respect and caring for each other. It is unconstitutional to destroy property by rioting, assault law enforcement or other citizens . I pray for Governor DeSantis and team to “Seek our Lord daily in everything; speak truth in all situations and lead under the guidance of God.”
Kudos to this wonderful, and very smart governor!!!
I agree 💯👍
I praise God that looters, those who burn buildings, cars, etc., those who do not protest peacefully will be held accountable and be arrested, and that the police will not be told to stand down without penalty. Thank you, Jesus.
We need more governors like DeSantis who has stood up for justice! We must remember this is the Lord’s agenda to root out evil and expose it. Those who complain about this bill, need to look at what these manipulated people did to our cities without law and order!!
This is not what our republic was founded upon and certainly not the loss of religious freedom when there is NO FREEDOM. We pray that the Lord will rescue our nation from thugs and liars and will protect us through governors like DeSantis!
Hallelujah, Gov DeSantis is standing up for Americans, calling for order and peace in our communities and state! Thankful Gov DeSantis is taking action against riots, looting, destruction and violence. We are blessed to have a governor that sees the importance of protecting communities.
Businesses/cities destroyed, people injured/killed during riots is absolutely ridiculous – it does not solve anything. Destruction, divisiveness, disinformation is from satan.
I pray Gov DeSantis and team seek the Lord in everything; they speak truth, uphold righteousness and lead this state under the guidance of Almighty God!
Additionally, I understand frustration with increase in taxes – please note the bill was an Online Sales Tax. Let us all remember we had a tumultuous 2020 where many lost jobs, businesses closed, many homeless – how does a state recover without feeling a ‘squeeze’ in some way, this will take much time to recover…
Furthermore, the uncontrolled spending from the new administration in 2021, and now we have the largest border crisis in decades with thousands pouring in at the border are jobless, homeless and are flown/bused to cities for that city to integrate/absorb them – expect challenges to increase and funds to be tight.
We must keep our focus on the Lord, consistently reading the Bible, praying fervently – do not allow world events to seep into ones heart.
Lord, our holy God! Show our leaders what You require of us mercy and justice. Lord guide every thought to your will in Christ name! Guide and direct each of our leaders to love as You love. Praise your name.
I am not sure how this would infringe on your constitutional rights. You still have the right for a peaceful protest. The constitution does not protect you when you riot,destroy property or assault law enforcement or other citizens. How difficult is that to understand? It is a matter of respect and caring for others! Lord God help us if we can’t grasp the importance of this. You have shown us the way to love and respect one another. May we imitate You!
Lord give our leaders wisdom, courage, and favor on doing the right things. Deliver them from evil counsel and help them hear your voice me obey. Raise up godly leaders in all areas. Amen
He also signed the largest income tax increase in the states history yesterday at midnight but I guess we aren’t concerned with reporting that right? He’s forcing consumers to foot the bill. We must say enough is enough!
Also, this bill is evil. What is to stop democrats for running us over with their cars when we protest abortion?? I do not think much thought was put into this.
Gov DeSantis, thank you for your strong stance in this and other matters. I am thankful you are my governor and I fully support you.
Lord I pray for the protection of your angels over Gov DeSantis, his family, his staff, the property he lives in and the property he works in. Give him strength for the position he occupies by Your grace and may other
governors follow his strong lead in the governance of their states.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for people like GOV. DeSantis. May he set an example to be emulated by other governors and people in leadership positions around the nation. May You grant Governor DeSantis and others who follow his lead the wisdom and courage to stand up to the wicked mobs and their evil puppet masters who now plague the nation. Lord how we thirst for a return to sanity, justice, and clarity. Lord let us stand in unity against the dark forces who are dividing and destroying our nation. Please Lord, let us see a reversal of the dark trends they have set in motion. Lord, may You erect a stalwart wall around us, and may we rally around You against the evil forces that surround us. Lord may the time for righteous action soon be at hand. In Jesus precious name I pray, O’ Lord, Amen.
Amen and amen, Danny!! Well said!
finally a degree of sanity is being to be passed into law.