In an effort to curb violent protests, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday the state legislature will take up a proposal in the next session that would punish people who throw objects at police officers, block roadways, or topple monuments.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that DeSantis said the proposed law will crack down on people participating in “disorderly assemblies.”
“There’s going to be a ton of bricks raining down on you,” DeSantis said of lawbreakers during a press conference at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Under the proposal, anyone who is found guilty of throwing an object at a law enforcement officer would face a minimum six-month jail sentence. People who block roadways, destroy monuments, or harass people in public would face felony penalties if the new law is approved.
Charges for violent protests and looting would be categorized as third-degree felonies, DeSantis said.
“This is a very robust package,” DeSantis said. “I think what it is saying is we’re not going to let Florida go down the road where some of these places have gone."
Violent protests have taken place across the country following several police involved deaths and shootings. In some cities, federal agents were deployed to quell the protests.
“Our right to peacefully assemble is one of our most cherished as Americans, but throughout the country we’ve seen that right being taken advantage of by professional agitators, bent on sowing disorder and causing mayhem in our cities,” DeSantis said. “I will not allow this kind of violence to occur here in Florida.”
According to DeSantis, under the law, anyone arrested during a protest wouldn’t be eligible for bail before their initial court hearing. Anyone convicted under the law would not be eligible for state benefits including unemployment. Extra penalties would be imposed for anyone convicted from out of state.
DeSantis also said the law would withhold state funding to any local municipalities that defund the police.
The state's next legislative session convenes in March.