Social justice groups ask federal judge to block Florida’s ‘Anti-Riot’ lawThe effort to strike down Florida’s recently adopted “anti-riot” law was before a federal judge Monday.
A coalition of social justice groups brought the suit because they believe the law could lead to the arrest of peaceful protesters.
At its heart, the lawsuit contends the state’s anti-riot law is overly vague and could lead to police using it to justify arresting peaceful protesters if violence breaks out at a demonstration.
“Police officers are authorized to decide for themselves whenever you have a peaceful protest, what constitutes a ‘violent public disturbance’,” said ACLU of Florida attorney Max Gaston.
Gaston said groups involved in the lawsuit have already seen a decline in the number of members willing to attend protests out of fear they could face arrest.
“They have been forced to cancel, postpone or modify their events,” said Gaston.
The groups suing argue the law fails to clarify whether a peaceful protester could be considered a participant in a riot for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.............
https://nbc-2.com/news/state/2021/08/30/social-justice-groups-ask-federal-judge-to-block-floridas-anti-riot-law/
