House Bill 1 is a threat to free speech and assembly, local government control

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Earlier today, the Florida House of Representatives passed House Bill 1. The bill would criminalize First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly and increase penalties for people accused of committing a crime at a protest. Substantial discretion will be left to charging officers, leaving the door open to abuse. The legislation must still pass the Florida Senate.
 
The Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform opposes this bill and its companion, Senate Bill 484. This legislation also allows the Governor and Cabinet to overrule local governments that reallocate law enforcement budgets for much-needed services in their communities. This would take control away from the people who know their communities best and force local governments to make cuts to schools, roads, and other needed projects when that is not the will of the voters or local elected officials.
 
The following is a statement from Carrie Boyd, policy counsel for the SPLC Action Fund.
 
“This will have a chilling effect on protests everywhere, regardless of the content of that protest. Sadly, HB 1 takes us back to a time when standing up for what is right requires you to be under the constant threat of arrest. Government trampling on Free Speech rights wasn’t okay when Martin Luther King Jr. was leading protests and it’s not okay today. Protesters ought to be protected, not arrested. And local governments should be trusted to make decisions that are best for their constituents. We urge the Florida Senate to reject this unconstitutional bill.”
 
The following is a statement from Kara Gross, legislative director and senior policy counsel for the ACLU of Florida.
 
“House Bill 1 is completely unnecessary. Law enforcement and prosecutors already have all the tools they need to arrest individuals engaged in violent conduct during a protest. This bill is not about preventing violence; it is about protecting the status quo. If it becomes law, this legislation will silence dissent and infringe upon the public’s First Amendment right to peacefully protest and assemble. Protesters peacefully marching or rallying on any issue will face the threat of criminal prosecution anytime they choose to march in public. Hundreds of people have showed up at the Capitol to oppose this bill, and thousands more have contacted legislators to urge their opposition. We can only hope the Florida Senate listens to the people because the Florida House ignored them.”
 
For a full list of organizations involved in the Florida Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform, go to https://www.betterjusticefl.com/.