'We will kill you': Florida sheriff warns protesters not to attack deputies

USA Today

15 hours ago

'We will kill you': Florida sheriff warns protesters not to attack deputies The remarks drew criticism from the ACLU of Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state has drawn a clear line between protesting and rioting.
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Officials warn: Rioters in Florida could face jail, even death
At a June 12 press conference, Florida AG James Uthmeier and Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey warned protesters about possible consequences for violent acts.
A Florida sheriff warned immigration enforcement protesters that law enforcement would "kill you, graveyard dead" if they become violent toward deputies.
"If you hit one of us, you're going to the hospital and jail, and most likely get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs that we have here," Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said at a June 12 news conference.
"If you throw a brick, a fire bomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains, because we will kill you, graveyard dead. We're not going to play."
The comments came after a week of protests in Los Angeles against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, as Florida officials warned would-be protesters in advance of expected rallies around the nation June 14 that Florida is not California. The state leaders said any rioting would be "nipped in the bud right away."
The remarks, including the threat of death against violent protesters, drew criticism from the ACLU of Florida, which warned the states' sheriffs that they would have to pay millions of dollars in damages if they use excessive force against protesters.
"Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey's violent and provocative threat to 'kill' protesters exercising their First Amendment rights is extremely un-American, and unbecoming for an elected leader sworn to protect the public," the state's ACLU chapter said in a post to social media.
Since President Donald Trump took office in January and started acting on his campaign promise of mass deportations, ICE and related agencies have quickly escalated efforts to remove undocumented immigrants, prompting anti-ICE protests to spread to cities nationwide. In some cases, peaceful protests have turned to chaotic scenes with clashes between local law enforcement and protesters accused of throwing rocks and even Molotov cocktails.
Ivey said at the news conference that peaceful protest is "part of our democracy" and welcome in his county.
"The key word in that is peaceful," he said. "If you let it turn violent ... you do not want to do that in Brevard County."
Florida passed an "anti-riot" bill in 2021 that says peaceful protesters can face criminal charges if their actions become violent. On June 9, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state has "drawn (the) line very clearly" between protesting and rioting.
About 2,000 "No Kings Day" demonstrations are planned around the country on June 14. According to the No Kings website, as of June 10 over 75 of the protests (including multiple in a single city) are planned across Florida.
Florida will 'never become California,' officials say
At the June 12 news conference, law enforcement officials remained steadfast in their support of federal anti-illegal immigration efforts and vowed to protect ICE officers who are "being put in harm's way just for doing their jobs."
"Florida will 'never become California,'" Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said.
He said if ICE officers feel they are being intimidated or threatened while in Florida they will be able to notify the Florida Highway Patrol, which will provide "routine check ups and patrols."
FHP Col. Gary Howze said in the past several months the state has detained more than 2,000 undocumented immigrants.
Larry Keefe, the executive director of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, said the state will add riot response tactics to its "blueprint" for mass deportation so other states may follow suit.
"There's no reason other states shouldn't have the backs of the federal law enforcement officers and their families while they're in California or in any of the other states," said Keefe, the former top federal prosecutor for north Florida.
Ana Goñi-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network – Florida, can be reached at [e-mail].