Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reignited debate over a controversial state law during an appearance on The Rubin Report.
He stated that Floridians have the right to drive through protesters blocking roadways if they feel their life is in danger, emphasizing that drivers should not be forced to remain “a sitting duck” in threatening situations
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“And we also have a policy that if you’re driving on one of those streets and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety,” DeSantis said.
“And so if you drive off and you hit one of these people, that’s their fault for impinging on you,” he continued.
The policy stems from Florida’s “Combatting Public Disorder Act” (HB 1), signed into law by DeSantis in April 2021. The legislation grants civil immunity to drivers who injure or kill protesters while “fleeing for safety from a mob,” provided they claim self-defense.
The law, which also defines a “riot” as a disturbance involving three or more people causing injury or property damage, was introduced following the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.
It includes measures like felony charges for blocking traffic during unpermitted protests and increased penalties for assaulting law enforcement during such events.
