According to the newly proposed legislation, violent protesters who cause injury or property damage could face felony charges in the state of Florida.
The new legislation has been proposed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who seeks for individuals who damage property or cause injury to face felony-level penalties.
“Recently in our country we have seen attacks on law enforcement, we’ve seen disorder and tumult in many cities,” the governor said as he called for stricter handling of violent protesters.
While DeSantis defended the people’s right to participate in peaceful protests, he insisted that violence and harassment should have no place in demonstrations.
The governor also called for violent protesters to be held in custody without bail until they appear in court. “They get their mugshot taken and then they get released, and it’s like a carousel. On and on it goes. Now that’s not going to happen here in Florida,” he said.
Under the proposed legislation, the authorities could file felony charges against protesters who obstruct traffic, those who cause damage to or destroy public property, and protesters who cause injury or property damage.
In addition, protesters would also be slammed with a misdemeanor if they accost and harass people in public places such as bars and restaurants.
“You see these videos of these innocent people eating dinner and you have these crazed lunatics just screaming at them and intimidating them. You’re not going to do that in the state of Florida,” the Governor of Florida vowed.
Among the proposed changes, DeSantis also suggested that demonstrators who strike members of the law enforcement during a protest should be jailed for a minimum of six months.
As part of the legislation, municipalities could also be stripped of state funds should they choose to defund the police.
Replaced!