From RT.com….
Lawmakers in Florida have passed a bill that increases punishments for rioting, looting and destruction of monuments, while making it harder for local jurisdictions to defund the police. Democrats condemned it as racist.
The state senate approved HB1, or “An Act Relating to Combating Public Disorder,” on Thursday with a vote of 23 in favor and 17 opposed. One Republican from Tampa Bay joined the Democrats in opposition. It cleared the Republican-majority House last month.
As expected — Senate approves the “anti-riot” bill 23-17. One GOP defection on the major agenda item from @JeffreyBrandes. Democrats we’re united in opposition.
— Forrest Saunders (@FBSaunders) April 15, 2021
“This legislation strikes the appropriate balance of safeguarding every Floridian’s constitutional right to peacefully assemble, while ensuring that those who hide behind peaceful protest to cause violence in our communities will be punished,” Governor Ron DeSantis said in a statement following the bill’s passage. He is expected to sign it into law as early as next week.
