Amid the ongoing riots over US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts, a Florida sheriff issued explicit and specific warnings to future protesters who break the law while protesting.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey delivered a series of warnings directed at unlawful rioters during a press conference in light of the past week of protests over ICE raids. “No Kings” protests are expected to occur throughout the US this weekend additionally.
At the beginning of his remarks, the sheriff ensured protesters of their right to peacefully protest.
“Peaceful protests are a part of our democracy,” Ivey said. “We invite people to share their opinions, that’s what our country is all about… us in law enforcement are going to make sure you have a safe environment” to peacefully protest in.
The sheriff then addressed several consequences for protesters breaking various laws.
“If you resist lawful orders, you are going to jail. Let me be very clear about that. If you block an intersection or a roadway in Brevard County, you are going to jail,” he said. “If you flee arrest, you’re going to go to jail tired because we’re going to run you down and put you in jail. If you try to mob rule a car in Brevard County — gathering around it, refusing to let the driver leave — in our county, you’re most likely going to get run over and dragged across the street.”
“If you spit on us, you’re going to the hospital, and jail. If you hit one of us, you’re going to the hospital, and jail, and most likely get bitten by one of our big beautiful dogs that we have here,” Ivey further declared.
Alluding to certain riot tactics from Los Angeles protesters in the past week, the sheriff warned protesters that the consequences will be fatal.
“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’re not going to play: this has got to stop,” Ivey said, lamenting the effect of “obstructionists” preventing local and federal law enforcement from doing their jobs, and even targeting them.
Protests beginning last Friday in Los Angeles over ICE raids, which ultimately developed a violent character, prompted President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard to protect ICE agents, and also temper the protests.
