Controversial ‘anti-riot’ bill set for spotlight as Florida legislative session begins
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Demonstrators gather outside Jacksonville City Hall. (Riley Storey/WJXT)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When the Florida Legislative session begins next week there’s one controversial bill that is expected to gain statewide and possibly nationwide attention — House Bill 1.
The bill — dubbed the “anti-riot bill” or the “anti-protest” bill depending on who you ask — aims to enhance penalties for crimes committed during a riot or violent protest, not allow people arrested during such a demonstration to be released from jail before a first court appearance and create new felonies for organizing or participating in a violent demonstration.