The question is what happened yesterday, did law enforcement have the ability, did they have probable cause to arrest these folks under the anti-rioting bill? asked Hayslett. The answer is yes they did.
More than a hundred people supporting the anti-government protests in Cuba blocked Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa for more than two hours. Hayslett said under Florida s anti-riot law all of those demonstrators could ve received a $15 citation. Right now part of the anti-riot bill also there s a civil citation that was written in, he said. It s a $15 fine if you willfully block a roadway.
Hayslett point out the law also gives officers discretion on when to use it. TPD did not cite or make any arrests under the anti-riot law but the defense attorney said they could have after giving an order to disperse which enhances the civil citation.