Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has introduced new legislation that, if passed, would remove liability for injury or death when a driver “fleeing for safety from a mob” runs over “protesters” with a vehicle.
Known as the “Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act,” DeSantis’ bill would not only legalize plowing over protesters who block traffic but also make it a third-degree felony to obstruct traffic during an "unpermitted protest, demonstration or violent or disorderly assembly."
“Today I announced bold legislation that creates new criminal offenses and increases penalties for those who target law enforcement and participate in violent or disorderly assemblies,” DeSantis tweeted.
“We will always stand with our men and women in uniform who keep our communities safe.”
A screenshot of the legislation also tweeted by DeSantis reveals the criteria for what constitutes a violent or disorderly assembly, as well as obstructing roadways, destroying or toppling monuments, and harassing people in public accommodations such as a restaurant.
When seven or more people involved in an assembly cause damage to property or injury to others, it explains, this constitutes a 3rd-degree felony. Blocking traffic in order to protest is also a 3rd-degree felony, and one that a driver will not be held liable for in the event that he causes injury or death while “fleeing for safety from a mob.”
Under the DeSantis proposal, it would constitute a 2nd-degree felony to destroy any public property during a protest. And anyone who harasses or intimidates someone while that someone is eating at a restaurant or otherwise enjoying a public accommodation would constitute a 1st-degree misdemeanor.
DeSantis wants mandatory minimum sentences for harming law enforcement
Other new penalties that DeSantis wants to impose include new mandatory minimum prison sentences for striking a law enforcement during “a violent or disorderly assembly.” Doing this, including with a projectile, would result in an immediate six-month jail sentence.
Throwing objects at police officers or otherwise assaulting them would only escalate the penalties, as would participating in “a violent or disorderly assembly” in a state where a protester does not actually live.
Should a local Florida municipality try to “defund the police” or otherwise express support for such an agenda, DeSantis would immediately pull all state grant and aid money from that locale. Local governments that allow “a violent or disorderly assembly” that results in a person being victimized would also be allowed to sue said government for “gross negligen[ce].”
Any individual on government aid who is convicted of participating in “a violent or disorderly assembly” anywhere in Florida would immediately lose said benefits. There would also be no bond or bail issued until a first appearance in court if a person is charged with a crime related to so-called “anti-fascist” activity.
Responding to DeSantis’ legislation, former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a Democrat, immediately called for legal advocacy groups to bring “legal action” against the governor. This proposal, he says, “would have legalized the murder of Heather Heyer in Charlottesville.”
James Alex Fields Jr., the guy who was sentenced to centuries in prison for supposedly running Heyer over during the Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally, would basically have gotten off scot-free, were the incident to have happened under DeSantis’ watch.
Another component of DeSantis’ legislation is the RICO liability section, which explains that anyone who organizes or funds a violent or disorderly assembly could be found guilty of racketeering, and sentenced accordingly.
One Law & Crime commenter in support of DeSantis’ proposal says it would help to stop “needless rioting, stop the obstruction of people’s freedom of movement, allow innocent citizens to do what is necessary to save their lives, and fill up the potholes in the roads for free all at the same time.”
More related news about the collapse of society due to violent “protests” is available at CivilWar.news.
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