Of all the bills that Florida State Capitol broke through in this session, the most vicious of those that came back late at night and were quickly passed by Republicans remains House Bill 1.
Governor Ron DeSantis’ baby, and He has already signed it to the law.
The session is about to end, but HB 1 has set the stage for this year’s legislative theme. Depriving local governments of power and trampling on Floridian constitutional rights.
Civil rights lawyers and additional plaintiffs from a non-profit organization called the Lawyers Matter Task Force have already filed proceedings to challenge the new law of the governor and are calm to those on the streets to protest the denied rights. Made to influence. The American tradition that the Governor of Florida suddenly wants to cut.
The proceedings were one of the best that came out of a mean legislative assembly, and as a result, there was little support.
HB 1 is an insidious law, anti-democratic, non-American, and a decree that some dictators may have created.
Attempt of silence
The bill aims to crack down on social justice demonstrations, not only strengthening penalties for crimes committed during protests, but also peaceful protesters and uninvolved bystanders during violent protests. Allow even those to be swept away and drawn in by the police.
In particular, black Floridians say they are an attempt to silence their demand for social justice — recently flourishing after the death of George Floyd last year.
Before signing the bill, DeSantis wanted to make sure that we could protect the people of our great state, the businesses and property of our great states from the activities and violent rallies of mobs of all kinds. “.
“Mob activity” and “violent rally” are unacceptable. But so can you let the police decide exactly what a “riot” is and throw the widest possible net at people near the protest. HB 1 ignores the fact that strong legislation against such violence and property destruction already exists.
To make matters worse, HB 1 creates a new category of violent criminal activity. And protect it recklessly.
The law protects vigilants and protesters who injure or kill “rioters” and avoid liability in civil proceedings.
What is a riot?
“House Building 1 is a terrifying injustice for Florida citizens and violates multiple constitutional rights,” said Shannon Rigong, who founded a group in Orlando’s federal court to challenge the new law. It names defendant DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody and Orange County Sheriff John Mina.
Under the new law, peaceful protests can be “characterized as’riots'” solely due to the illegal activity of one or two individuals, the plaintiffs write.
The law, among other things, has spawned new felony offenses of “worse riots” and “intimidation of mobs” with up to 15 years in prison, which “become illegal for a person together” or it. These other people act with a common intent and use or threaten to use imminent power, do something with or stop doing, or undertake or abandon. , Or maintain a particular perspective against his or her will. “
But there is still something called freedom of speech, and Floridian should be eager to remind the governor of it.