Florida Gov. DeSantis Signs ‘Anti-Riot’ Law

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new “anti-riot” law on Monday which aims to respond to 2020’s George Floyd protests. “If you look at the breadth of this particular piece of legislation, it is the strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement piece of legislation in the country,” DeSantis said. The law grants civil immunity to people who drive their cars into protesters who are blocking a road, raises new penalties for battery against police officers during a riot, prohibits damaging or defacing memorials, creates a new crime called “mob intimidation,” requires authorities to deny bail to arrested demonstrators until after their first court date, and makes local officials liable for lawsuits over personal and property damages if they are found to have interfered with law enforcement’s response to civil unrest. Coverage in mainstream outlets was mostly balanced, with most coverage labeling the law “controversial,” explaining its provisions, and quoting advocates and opponents. Coverage in some left- and center-rated outlets focused on the law’s more unusual elements, such as making it “OK to hit protesters with your car.”