Florida braces for 'No Kings' protests as Gov. DeSantis warns against 'nonsense'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state is ready to 'quell any violence' at 'No Kings' protests planned across Florida this weekend.
In a Fox News interview, the governor said that local police, county sheriffs, highway patrol and even the National Guard will be ready to stop any violence or 'unrest' at the statewide protests against federal anti-illegal immigration efforts.
'It's a bad decision to try to pull that nonsense in Florida,' DeSantis said.
Law enforcement warns: Florida officials warn ICE protesters: Violence could mean jail — or death
Anti-ICE raids protests: Planned 'No Kings' protests grow in number after LA militarization: What organizers expect
More than 75 protests are planned across Florida, which is part of more than 2,000 protests across the country. The website reads that the 'No Kings' protests on June 14 are a 'nationwide day of defiance' against the Trump administration. It's scheduled on Flag Day, which also falls on Trump's birthday and during a military parade in Washington celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th birthday.
These protests in Florida come just after protests escalated in the greater Los Angeles area after multiple U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement warrants were executed in the city. Protesters threw items at officers, set off fireworks and blocked buses.
The week leading into these 'No Kings' protests, DeSantis and his team repeatedly pointed to Florida's 2021 'anti-riot' law to contrast the state's laws against California, saying in a June 10 press conference that rioting will 'not be tolerated' in the state.
Anti-riot law: As L.A. burns, DeSantis team warns: 'Rioting will not be tolerated' in Florida
The short answer is no. But the longer answer is more nuanced in Florida.
The First Amendment protects the freedom of assembly and the freedom of speech. In addition, DeSantis this week stressed that Florida allows peaceful demonstrations without blocking traffic or turning violent.
On its website, 'No Kings' organizers said: 'We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events.'
Yet the governor reminded residents the 'anti-riot' law was passed following nationwide racial justice protests after the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a Minneapolis police officer. The law created a new definition for 'riot' and required those arrested for unlawful assembly to be held without bail until their first court appearance.
More: Trump calls National Guard to stop anti-immigration protests in L.A. What are Florida's protesting laws?
Critics at the time said this law's ambiguity would prevent peaceful protesting in Florida. At first, a federal judge agreed with that concern and granted a preliminary injunction for this law in 2023, based on a potential violation of First Amendment rights in and order calling it 'vague and overbroad.'
But the Florida Supreme Court rejected that the law was 'vague' and agreed that a peaceful protester is not a rioter. An appeals court overturned the injunction and agreed peaceful protesters would only face criminal charges if they became violent.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@gannett.com. On X: @stephanymatat.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 'No Kings' protests may test Florida anti-riot law under DeSantis
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