Gov. Ron DeSantis Protects Florida with Anti-Rioting Law

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo meets with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, in Miami, Florida on January 23, 2020. [State Department Photo by Ron Przysucha/ Public Domain]

Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced the signing of Florida HB 1, titled Combating Public Disorder. The law aims to prevent defunding of police, prevent activist politicians from holding police back from doing their jobs, increases penalties for rioting, prohibits cyber-intimidation, and takes other measures to put pressure on violent rioters and looters. DeSantis announced the new law on Twitter:

Today, surrounded by our state’s law enforcement community, I proudly signed HB 1 into law, which makes clear that rioting and violence have absolutely no place in Florida and provides protections for the brave men and women who keep our communities safe. pic.twitter.com/ULs6cx8xzy

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 19, 2021

DeSantis also wrote:

HB 1 protects Floridians against attempts by local govts to defund law enforcement, provides the means to hold local govt. accountable for failing to protect people & property from rioting, & enacts strong penalties against those engaged in rioting, looting & violent assemblies.

I want to thank President @WiltonSimpson, Speaker @ChrisSprowls, @DannyBurgessFL, @RepJuanFBarquin, @kellistargel, @Daniel_PerezFL, Rep. Cord Byrd and the Florida House and Senate for passing this legislation for the good of our state and for those we serve.

You can watch the signing ceremony below: