Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took a major stand for the rule of law when he signed House Bill 1, the Combating Public Disorder Act, into law on April 19, 2021. The signing took place at the Polk County Sherriff’s Office with Florida’s legislative leadership and representatives of law enforcement in attendance.
The bill comes in the wake of ongoing violence, rioting, and other forms of civil unrest throughout the United States over the last two years. It increases penalties for existing crimes committed during a violent assembly and protects the communities’ law enforcement officers and victims of these types of acts. The bill also creates specific crimes for mob intimidation and cyber intimidation to ensure that Florida will not be a welcoming place for those wishing to impose their will on innocent civilians and law enforcement by way of mob mentality. Crimes of mob intimidation and cyber intimidation both will become 1st-degree misdemeanors.
The Combating Public Disorder Act also creates new penalties for destroying monuments and historic property, the consequences of which include a 2nd-degree felony and paying restitution for the repairing or replacing of the memorial. The bill is also increasing penalties and rankings for many of these offenses like assault, battery, battery on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief, burglary, and theft when these crimes are committed during or in furtherance of a riot.
Governor DeSantis said, “In Florida, we are taking an unapologetic stand for the rule of law and public safety. We are holding those who incite violence in our communities accountable, supporting our law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day to keep us safe, and protecting Floridians from the chaos of mob violence. We’re also putting an end to the bullying and intimidation tactics of the radical left by criminalizing doxing and requiring restitution for damaging memorials and monuments by rioters.”
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody echoed the governor’s sentiments saying, “We ask law enforcement officers to take an oath to protect and serve. We, as leaders, in turn, have a responsibility to protect them as they ensure order and safety in the communities they serve. We respect the right of people to peaceably assemble and make their views known on issues of public policy, but rioting, violence, and destruction of property cannot and will not be tolerated in Florida.”
The governor praised Florida’s elected state leaders for their sense of urgency in getting the legislation to him for enactment so quickly.
This Governor tempts me to move to Florida! New York will never adopt a similar law as long as the powers that be remain in office.
I’m glad to read that Governor DeSantis and the state of Florida enacted this legislation. Maybe other states will follow suit. Those who commit these crimes—the destruction of public property, looting, burning down our businesses, and the assaults on people defending them—must face the courts and rule of law. For too long, cities and states have tolerated these outbursts of violence (“peaceful protests” to the dems) in the wake of what the participants call social injustice.
Certainly, those serving in law enforcement must follow a strict code of behavior. And most do. But these high profile racially based cases should never be considered legitimate reasons to riot. The Progressives and their relentless intentions to bring down law enforcement and to foment anarchy caused this whole mess. If people behaved better, there would be fewer headlines.
We need more states to stand up for the people they are supposed to represent. Failure to do so will only further enable the federal government to gain more power and influence over them.
It’s about time someone takes a stand against lawlessness. Thank you Gov. DeSantis.
Is Florida be the only state with a law against destroying monuments and other property through riots?
Way to go, Governor! We need 49 other governors to do the same!
Amazing leader! Others should learn and follow
Bringing back sanity to our streets and democracy. Mobs and thugs and paid instigators cannot rule our streets!
Why all other states don’t do this is ridiculous and the law makers who don’t do it should be tried for abuse of power and inciting any riots that happen in their jurisdiction.
I love Ron DeSantis! He uses common sense and fights for the citizens of Florida. If I move from California, Florida is definitely where I would go (bringing my conservative values with me, of course). I hope he runs for president in 2024. While I’m a supporter of President Trump, I think DeSantis’ less in-your-face style would be more palatable to some voters. President Trump is perfect for working behind the scenes to offer advice and campaigning for Republicans running for office.
SEND IN THE NATIONAL GUARD TO SHOOT LOOTERS AND RIOTERS!!
Love it! As it should be.
Gov. DeSantis is my idea of a great Governor. I am so glad I live in Florida.
Hooray for Florida. Now if we can just get these morons in these other cities and states to get some order back into their neighborhoods, this country may be able to turn itself around for the good of it’s people
Great move Florida. Rioters as an excuse for protesting need to be cut out of our society.
Bravo for the legislature in Florida. Those blue states who don’t address this issue will continue to lose businesses, force people to move, and lower the tax base in their own piece of the world. They deserve the ills of not enforcing laws and lying to the taxpayers about “peaceful” protests. To allow riotous behavior to continue is irresponsible and criminal. Government officials who ignore these riots should face criminal lawsuits by the hundreds.
Outstanding! We need more of this throughout the country… Thank you Governor!