Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs New Anti-Riot Legislation

April 21, 2021 in News, Video by RBN Staff

source:  needtoknownews

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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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