Apr 20, 2021 - News

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs "anti-mob" legislation into law

Ben Montgomery

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed "anti-mob" legislation into law that, among other things, will immediately stiffen legal penalties for crimes committed during protests that turn violent.

Why it matters: Opposed by Democrats and activists for its perceived vindictiveness, 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, the Times/Herald reports.

In Florida, that means many who are convicted under the new law could lose their right to vote.

What they're saying: "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.

What's next: Democrats have already floated the possibility of challenging the law in court.

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Florida Gov. DeSantis signs "anti-mob" legislation into law

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