‘We Will Kill You’: FL Officials Warn Of Arrests, Death If ‘No Kings’ Protests Turn Violent

FLORIDA — Florida officials and law enforcement are taking a hard line on protesters and activists ahead of the “No Kings” protests planned nationwide and across the Sunshine State on Saturday.

They warn that if the protests turn violent, attendees could face arrest or even death, according to reports.

The protests coincide with a military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary that falls on Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

“No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance,” according to organizers. “From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism — and show the world what democracy really looks like.”

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey didn’t mince words, saying during a Thursday news conference, "If you throw a brick, a firebomb, 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 graveyard dead. We are not going to play.”

See Also: 'No Kings' Protest To Be Held Saturday In FL: What To Know

"The kind of lawlessness that we've witnessed on the streets of California will not be tolerated in Florida," Florida Highway Patrol Colonel Gary Howze said at the press conference in Brevard County, according to WTSP.

Trump responded to days of protests against ICE immigration raids in Los Angeles by deploying members of the National Guard. The city has also imposed an overnight curfew for the downtown area.

Gov. Ron DeSantis also warned protesters during a news conference in Jacksonville that “the line is very clear” with law enforcement ready to act, News4Jax reported.

The governor, denouncing the protests in California, said, “Do not even try to shut down the streets (in Florida). We’re going to make sure that you don’t do that.”

Protest organizers said a core principle behind all "No Kings" events is a commitment to nonviolence.

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An “anti-riot” law went into effect in Florida in 2021 as a response to the racial justice protests following the murder of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer.

The law enhanced criminal charges for protests that turn violent.

“People are free to protest but rioting is illegal in Florida and will be dealt with accordingly,” Christina Pushaw, a DeSantis aide, posted to X, formerly Twitter.

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