last year, DeSantis signed the so-called"anti-riot" bill HB 1 in April, imposing potential criminal penalties for protesters who block roads while holding demonstrations.
However, when large groups of Cuban Americans—a key Republican voter block in Florida—took to the streets and sometimes blocked them while holding demonstrations in solidarity with pro-democracy protests in Cuba this week, law enforcement did not intervene. Democrats quickly noted that no arrests were made on Tuesday when protesters blocked Florida State Road 826, also known as the Palmetto Expressway. While the law was not enforced, Colonel Gene Spaulding, director of the Florida Highway Patrol, issued a statement acknowledging that the protesters were"breaking the law" and urging them to"be respectful of our communities.
Democratic Florida state Senate leaders asked Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody for"clarity" on why a law prohibiting protesters from blocking roads was not enforced for those protesting communism in Cuba this week. A group of protesters are seen blocking Florida State Road 826, the Palmetto Expressway, in this photo taken in Miami, Florida on July 13, 2021.
"As diverse members of our community exercise their Constitutional right to freedom of speech, we are... seeking your formal legal opinion as to whether such expressions and actionsin fact lawful," they continued."It's imperative that Floridians and duly elected officials across this state know this information from your legal perspective."
They weren't setting fires, attacking people passing by, or rioting. That's the big difference.
Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »
Source: CNBC - 🏆 12. / 72 Read more »