TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday put a cap on one of his top legislative priorities by signing an “anti-mob” legislation into law back where it all began.
Flanked by sheriffs and Republican legislative leaders in ruby red Polk County, DeSantis signed legislation that among many things, will immediately enhance criminal penalties for crimes committed during protests that turn violent.
The new law will also allow people to sue local governments if their property is damaged during a riot, and will bump many criminal penalties from misdemeanors to felonies, meaning that in Florida many who are convicted under the new law could lose their right to vote.
“We wanted to make sure that we were able to protect the people of our great state, people’s businesses and property against any type of mob activity or violent assemblies,” DeSantis said in Winter Haven before signing the bill into law.
