Ron DeSantis Says Floridians Have Right to Hit Protesters With Cars
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has said Floridians have a right to hit protesters with their car if they need to "flee for your safety."
Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference in Miami, Tuesday, May 9, 2023.
Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference in Miami, Tuesday, May 9, 2023.
Rebecca Blackwell, File/AP Photo
DeSantis was speaking on The Rubin Report on Wednesday, when he said: "We also have a policy that if you're driving on one of those streets and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle, and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety.
"And so if you drive off and you hit one of these people, that's their fault for impinging on you. You don't have to just sit there and be a sitting duck and let the mob grab you out of your car and drag you through the streets."
Gov. Ron DeSantis says that Floridians are ALLOWED to drive over protesters in the street, if they feel like their life is in danger..
LOVE this! 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/xUDVMfM5g4 — American AF 🇺🇸 (@iAnonPatriot) June 12, 2025
Civil rights activist Heather Heyer was killed after James Alex Fields Jr., drove his car into counter protesters at the Unite the Right Rally in 2017. Fields argued self-defense but was found guilty of first degree murder.
DeSantis' comments come ahead of the 'No Kings' protests which are planned for June 14. Protest organizers have said the demonstrations are non-violent, and are providing de-escalation training to people taking part.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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