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The Florida Congress will begin studying this Wednesday a bill to control violent protests, an initiative promoted by Governor Ron DeSantis.
On the eve of its first review in the Legislature, Jimmy Patronis, the state’s finance director, showed his formal support for the law, known as SB 484.
The Republican stressed Tuesday that he is concerned “that certain anti-police elements are beginning to take root in the political institutions of our state.”
“We are now not only targeted by criminals, but also by elected officials,” Patronis lamented.
The bill was introduced last September by DeSantis in the wake of violent Black Lives Matters and Antifa protests that generated chaos in the country, building fires, vehicle fires, injuries and fatalities.
DeSantis has said that the bill aims to control “violent and disorganized protests” and also provides for the withdrawal of public funds to local governments that cut resources to the police.
The Republican has pointed out that the initiative also contemplates not offering bail until the first court appearance to those who hit a police officer.
“We are not going to allow municipal governments to starve the police of funds. If they do, then the state will eliminate any grants or aid they receive,” the governor said.
Several Democratic legislators believe the bill is “excessive.”
