'Anti-riot' law backed by Florida Gov. DeSantis blocked by federal judge
Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune
"Its vagueness permits those in power to weaponize its enforcement," the judge wrote.
TALLAHASSEE – Another of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ policy priorities has been blocked, with a federal court Thursday stopping enforcement of his so-called anti-riot law that opponents said was riddled with constitutional defects.
Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker agreed with arguments made by several civil rights organizations which pushed to stop the law. It had gone on the books in April after DeSantis signed it flanked by uniformed law enforcement officers at an event in Polk County.
The Republican governor proposed the measure in the weeks following nationwide protests last year which stemmed from George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police. DeSantis called it the “strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement piece of legislation in the country.”
Walker, however, said in his order that the law was a threat to the constitutional rights of Americans: “Its vagueness permits those in power to weaponize its enforcement against any group who wishes to express any message that the government disapproves of.”
Read more: https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/politics/state/2021/09/09/desantis-another-court-loss-time-anti-riot-law/8261112002/
DeSantis will appeal, of course. Weaponizing enforcement of this law is something that has great appeal to Republicans.
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because basically, they are "test cases" so that their craven buddies can copy that language for their own state laws. 
