Green light in Florida for a bill that will shield the Police in protests

PROTESTS

Miami, Mar 26 (EFE News) .- The Florida House of Representatives of Congress gave the green light this Friday to a controversial bill by the governor, Ron DeSantis, which grants more power to arrest the police when there are street protests and it must now be debated in the Senate.

Known as the “Law to Combat Violence, Disorder, Looting and the Protection of Law Enforcement,” the bill went ahead with 76 votes in favor and 39 against after a lengthy debate on Thursday in the state chamber. of representatives, of republican majority.

The bill, which still needs the approval of the Florida Senate, also controlled by Republicans, and the governor’s signature, expands the possibilities of criminally charging someone for events that occurred in protests.

In addition, it makes it difficult for local governments to restrict the budgetary funds allocated to the police.

Representative Ben Diamond, a Democrat from St. Petersburg, a city on Florida’s west coast, opposed the bill, stating that “the police now have the tools they need to keep citizens safe.”

“I spoke with my police chief (…) and that’s what he told me. He is concerned as I am that this bill will muddy the waters in a very real way that will allow peaceful protesters to be swayed by arrests, “said Diamond.

For their part, Republicans who support the new measure argue that the language of the legislative text is clear and does not violate the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects freedom of expression.

“Throwing a brick at a small business window is not freedom of speech, but a crime. Hitting a police officer with a glass bottle is not freedom of speech. It is a crime, ”refuted Republican Representative Tyler Sirois of Merritt Island (Atlantic coast).

This bill, HB1, states in its wording that it also wants to “prohibit cyberbullying by means of a publication.”

“The right to protest is an integral part of the history of our democracy, which is perfected every time conscientious citizens tie their shoelaces and march,” denounced the national organization SPLC Action.

According to this platform that “works to dismantle white supremacy and promote the human rights of all people,” the “horrible murder” of African American George Floyd by a policeman last summer had repercussions throughout the country.

In a statement hours before the vote, SPLC Action warned that “HB1 would also protect vigilantes who use violence against protesters.”

“Blocking traffic would result in criminal charges and those arrested would be imprisoned until their first appearance (in court),” the organization predicted.

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