Official announcements or public records

SCOFLA Rules DeSantis' 2021 Anti-Riot Law No Threat to Peaceful Protesters

Jun 20, 2024, 07:30 PM

The Florida Supreme Court (SCOFLA) has ruled on Governor Ron DeSantis' controversial 'anti-riot' law, determining that it does not pose a threat to peaceful protesters. The court's decision narrows the scope of who can be charged under the law, which was enacted in 2021 in response to the George Floyd protests. The ruling came after a federal appeals court requested the state Supreme Court's opinion. Critics had argued that the law was vague and overly broad, but the justices rejected these claims, clarifying that the law targets violent demonstrations rather than peaceful protests. This legal challenge was a significant test of the law's clarity and application.