Last Updated: 7:53 p.m.
Floridians in more than 70 cities throughout the state plan to join nationwide demonstrations to protest the Trump administration on Saturday, prompting Attorney General James Uthmeier and other law enforcement officials to say they won’t hesitate to quash protests.
The protests, part of the “No Kings” movement, are set to take place the same day as the multimillion-dollar military parade in D.C. and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. [Four rallies are scheduled in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach: Two are scheduled at 9:30 a.m.–on the Palm Coast Parkway bridge over I-95, and at State Road A1A and State Road 100 in Flagler Beach. Two more are scheduled at 11 a.m.–at Palm Coast Parkway and Old Kings Road, and at State Road 100 and Belle Terre Parkway.]
Uthmeier, who along Gov. Ron DeSantis has been criticizing the protests in downtown Los Angeles against Trump’s immigration crackdown, said he wanted to put the public on notice before Saturday. Trump sent the California National Guard into the city despite opposition from Gov. Gavin Newsom, and the California governor rejected DeSantis’ offer to send the Florida State Guard, according to the Miami Herald.
“If you want to wreak havoc and destruction in Florida, we have enhanced penalties to ensure you will do time, so we do not tolerate rioting. As groups talk about assembling over the weekend, we haven’t seen much of that in Florida,” Uthmeier said during a press conference in Brevard County.
However, protests are planned in all the state’s major cities, including in front of the Florida Historic Capitol in Tallahassee, according to the movement’s website.
The messaging from Uthmeier reflects Trump’s warnings that those who protest the D.C. parade will be met with “very heavy force.”
“If you resist lawful orders, you’re going to jail. Let me be very clear about that: if you block an intersection or a roadway in Brevard County, you are going to jail,” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey. “If you flee arrest, you’re going to go to jail tired because we are going to run you down and put you in jail. … If you throw a brick, a fire bomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at because we will kill you.”
Uthmeier also announced that Florida Highway Patrol troopers would start patrolling the houses of federal immigration officials who believe they have been doxxed.
–Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
Enough says
I guess the residents of Florida aren’t so “free” after all!! Good Ole DUH Santis!! Another loser wannabe king!! Anything his “daddy” says, he follows suit. He’s so incompetent, he can’t even think on his own; he likes to be led by his nose hairs. Another useless Repub wanting to put fear in anyone who wishes to express themselves peacefully in protest. Reminds us of what this country fought against years ago…it’s called Fascism…Nazism! Look those terns up and read the descriptions.
Proud American says
These protesters,rioters are sick individuals who should not have America as their home! Get rid of them for good right now!
Gino says
This is what we’ve become. Being constantly bullied by those in charge. As per the above Brevard Co. Sheriff almost goading people. Again typical bully crap
Bella says
Do not support this protest. However, do support free speech. Solution is to obtain proper permits if required and do not break the law. Block streets, damage property or people expect to be arrested. Freedom of speech does not include infringing on others by doing the above illegal activities.
Bo Peep says
Let us know if there are any counter protests backing law and order we would like to show up and support one of those events .
Thanks
Stop making this more than it is says
The first comment in this section is ignorant. UGH, none of them said that there couldn’t be PEACEFUL PROTESTS. We still have the freedom to do THAT. We, however, DO NOT, NOR HAVE WE EVER, had the right to break the law. If you don’t like this republican-run state, leave. Nobody is begging you to stay.
Atwp says
Protest but be safe. I believe Desantis had said if you feel threatened you can use your car against people. It was easier to vote for a Democratic President. Just saying.
JimboXYZ says
[Disallowed. Do not use this site to spread disinformation. Thanks.–FL]
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
There’s been plenty of rallies by both republicans, democrats, 50501 and Indivisible in Flagler County and all have been peaceful, other than a few from the GOP hurling words that would make their pastor blush. It will be no different on Saturday as those people exercise their First Amendment Rights peacefully again, while they still have those rights. 249 Years ago Americans had to stand up and say NO KING! Will we make it to 250 Years…….
Dennis C Rathsam says
TRUMP,S done more for the USA, in 6 months….Than Biden did in 4 years! It’s time for BIDENS traitors, to face the music….. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire!
Skibum says
The idiots in Tallahassee are at it again! Protests are certainly NOT the same as riots! To protest is an American tradition, and besides that, protests are constitutionally protected as a method of free speech as long as the activity is peaceful. A riot on the other hand, for those in Tallahassee who need such a visual reminder, is what occurred at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 where thousands of drumph’s maga mushbrains attacked and injured more than 100 federal police officers while breaking into and damaging that federal building. Their unlawful actions included building a makeshift gallows on the Capitol lawn while chanting “Hang Mike Pence!” and storming through parts of the Capitol building hoping to kidnap and do harm to Speaker Pelosi. THAT is the definition of a “riot”, despite the unmitigated gall of drumph to reward that dangerous and illegal behavior of more than 1500 convicted rioters with presidential pardons, all because they were his own maga supporters!
Now our own unhinged governor has publicly stated that it is perfectly okay for people in vehicles to run down any “no kings day” protesters here in the state of Flori-DUH… what could possibly go wrong? It seems both our state and federal government has been turned completely upside down, not to mention our top elected officials showing us that they are completely bankrupt of morality and decency!
DIANE ERRAIR says
My comment goes for whatever you believe, whatever side of the aisle you are on…………this country is for the people and by the people. The politicians work for us! If any of the people don’t agree or like what’s going on, the constitution that our country is based on, gives us the right to peacefully protest to make our voices heard. Its a right. For some to say protestors are “sick people” is ignorant and I am very sure if they themselves don’t like something the politicians are doing, they would then want to be able to speak out. Officials threatening shooting protestors and that vehicles can run protestors over is intimidation to stop the people from complaining in protests so they will shut up and politicians can then get away with whatever they want. If we can’t speak out, we are a third world /communist/ dictatorship country! We are free………this is what we love about america. Being free and staying free, means standing up for what concerns us.
DIANE ERRAIR says
Unless protests get out of control, which police will take care of those people, then we cannot ever give up our right to free speech, our right to protest what we don’t like seeing going on, because this country is by the people and for the people…..The politicians work for us. When we don’t feel they are working for us, or doing things against what we believe, the right to say so is what’s great about our country. Give up no rights. You give up even one right that we have in our constitution, they will take all of them away. Then we have bigger problems.
T.H.E. says
In most cases, peaceful protests are disrupted with violent reactions by people that don’t agree with them. Let people speak. That’s Freedom . That’s having Rights. Taking that away makes us NOT a FREE AMERICA that is for the people and by the people. All sides will NOT like that lifestyle, that’s for sure
Tom E. says
Protesting is a Right of Every American, in America, under the American Constitution, which makes America a Free Country. If anyone breaks the law in America, they get arrested, and in America they get due process (to have an opportunity to defend themselves). If guilty, the American justice system handles them. If innocent, they are very thankful to live in America and have the proceesses we have……that protect all Americans.