How sad, how dismally sad, to see Polk County’s sheriff, Grady Judd, standing behind Gov. Ron DeSantis, smiling and clapping his hands, as the governor displays the “anti-rioting” bill passed by the radically reactionary Republicans in Tallahassee. [“DeSantis signs sweeping, controversial anti-riot bill,” April 22].
Freedom of speech. Freedom of assembly. Right to petition the government.
These are three of the fundamental rights guaranteed to us by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and what this bill seeks to diminish. The chilling effect that this bill is intended to have on the exercise of these rights is palpable.
To see one of our principal law enforcement officers applaud an attack on these fundamental rights should be a wake-up call to us. Laws are already in place to punish destruction of another’s property. Are we that proverbial frog in the kettle of water that gets boiled alive before it realizes that the heat has turned deadly?
When and how do we reject these Republican authoritarian extremists who are attacking our fundamental constitutional rights? “Therefore, ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee.”
Richard Sutherland, J.D., Winter Haven
Our sheriff is the best in the United States do not critize him for doing what other sheriff would not do because they do not have guts enough to stand for what is right if you don’t like our rules please feel free to go where you can protest
I think our Governor did the right thing , we don’t need out cities to burn and business to go out business because of riots,,,he did not say you could not protest!!!!! Your trying to miss led people with your article
First off, rioting is NOT a constitutional right. If you would have paid attention to the constitution in school instead of a communist indoctrinating instructor you would have seen we have the right of freedom of speech, the right to PEACEABLY assemble, and the right to protest for a redress of government. The word peaceably is in direct contrast of rioting.
Since you want to talk about loss of rights, let’s talk about democrats taking away our first amendment rights by censorship, and freedom of religion. Our second amendment rights of self protection. Our fourth amendment rights of unreasonable searches and seizures.
Yup, we are the frogs in the water and the democrats are the ones turning up the heat.
Thank our governor and sheriff for their stand on keeping our state safe from theses crazy people that needs to be working instead of rioting!!!!
Grady Judd 2024! It’s ok to be wrong you sad liberal
A peaceful march for a Cause is not a riot. Rioting is destroying public and private property with intent. I applaud governor DeSantis and Sheriff Judd for finally standing up to those who think causing Mayham gets their point across.