For the first time since a string of protests erupted in Florida against police brutality, Gov. Ron DeSantis late Monday afternoon said the state has “zero tolerance for violence, rioting and looting.”
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) — For the first time since a string of protests erupted in Florida against police brutality, Gov. Ron DeSantis late Monday afternoon said the state has “zero tolerance for violence, rioting and looting.”
“George Floyd’s murder was appalling, and the Minnesota perpetrators need to be brought to justice, but this cannot be used as a pretext for violence in our Florida communities,” the governor said in a prepared statement, referring to the Minneapolis man whose death touched off protests across the country.
Floridians did not hear from DeSantis during a violent and chaotic weekend marked by demonstrations in various parts of the state.
DeSantis was quiet as thousands of protesters flooded city streets, seething over the death of Floyd, a black man killed in police custody under a white officer’s knee.
In Miami, squad cars were damaged and police fired tear gas at a crowd of protesters.
In Tallahassee, the driver of a pickup truck plowed through a street packed with demonstrators, just blocks from the state Capitol building.
In Jacksonville, Sheriff Mike Williams said protesters “attacked several police officers,” including one who was hospitalized after being “slashed at the neck.” In Fort Lauderdale, a police officer was suspended after he was caught on video aggressively pushing a kneeling woman to the ground.
It wasn’t until Monday afternoon that DeSantis’ office issued his statement about the upheaval.
“We have devoted significant resources, including the mobilization of 700 Florida National Guard soldiers who are specially trained to support law enforcement,” DeSantis said.
The governor said he is also working with the Florida Highway Patrol to coordinate more than 1,300 sworn troopers to support local law enforcement efforts.
“We will continue to do everything necessary to keep residents safe,” he said.
