ACLU of Florida Statement on Passage of Anti-Protest Bill in House Subcommittee

The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee today voted to pass House Bill 1 (HB 1), otherwise known as Gov. DeSantis' anti-peaceful protest bill. If signed into law, the bill will silence and criminalize Floridians who want to exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully protest.

The ACLU of Florida opposes this bill and its companion bill, Senate Bill 484.

Micah Kubic, executive director, ACLU of Florida responded to today's vote saying:

"It is disappointing to see that despite widespread and diverse opposition to this bill, the committee advanced Gov. DeSantis' undemocratic anti-protest proposal. The right to peacefully assemble and protest is protected by the First Amendment and has been a profoundly important way for generation after generation to effect positive change throughout the history of our country.

"This bill does nothing but criminalize peaceful protest, silence dissent and inhibit Floridians from seeking to influence how our state leaders make decisions about our lives. We know the true nature of this bill and its origins. We know that it is not about public safety, but about criminalizing peaceful protesters advocating for racial justice. Legislators should stop this bill instead of compromising the rights of Floridians for political gain."