Florida Governor Reaffirms Stand-Your-Ground Mentality as ICE Riots Erupt Nationwide
In a bold and unapologetic stance, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared that drivers have the right to protect themselves if surrounded by violent rioters — even if that means hitting someone while fleeing.
“If you’re driving on one of those streets and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety,” DeSantis said during an interview on The Rubin Report.
“If you drive off and you hit one of these people, that’s their fault for impinging on you.”
DeSantis: “You’re Not a Sitting Duck”
DeSantis emphasized that Floridians are not required to surrender their safety to the mob. His remarks came as riots erupt across U.S. cities in response to aggressive ICE operations targeting illegal aliens — especially in Democrat-run sanctuary zones like Los Angeles.
“You don’t have to sit there and be a sitting duck and let the mob grab you out of your car and drag you through the streets,” he warned.
DeSantis added that rioters have no right to commandeer public roads, saying such behavior is both unlawful and disruptive to the daily lives of law-abiding citizens. His zero-tolerance stance mirrors earlier policies aimed at curbing chaos in the streets — particularly after the George Floyd riots in 2020.
Legal Background: The “Combating Public Disorder Act”
In 2021, DeSantis signed the Combating Public Disorder Act, which grants civil immunity to drivers who unintentionally injure or kill individuals while escaping from a mob — defined legally as three or more people engaged in a riot or violent disturbance.
Key points:
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The law only covers civil immunity, not criminal liability.
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Drivers could still face manslaughter or homicide charges if their actions are deemed reckless or intentional.
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The law’s enforcement is currently blocked by a federal injunction, pending appeal, after a judge ruled it violated First Amendment rights and was unconstitutionally vague.
A Flashpoint in the National Riots Debate
DeSantis’s remarks come amid renewed national unrest, with ICE operations ramping up and illegal immigration protests turning violent. In several cities, protesters have blocked highways, smashed windows, and attacked law enforcement, sparking growing fears of mob confrontations with civilians.
For DeSantis, the message is clear:
If it’s you or the mob — you choose safety.
