A Florida sheriff has made national headlines after warning protesters against turning violent during upcoming demonstrations opposing U.S. immigration policies.
His message was clear: anyone attacking law enforcement could end up dead.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey of Brevard County, just east of Orlando, gave the strong statement at a press conference this week.
Highlights
- Florida Sheriff Wayne Ivey warned violent ICE protesters that attacking law enforcement could lead to deadly force and severe consequences.
- Ivey described his approach as a return to “Old West” law and order, emphasizing lethal force if officers' lives are threatened.
- Florida’s strict anti-rioting law since 2021 allows for the arrest of peaceful protesters if demonstrations turn violent.
Florida sheriff warned protestors that anyone attacking law enforcement could end up dead
Image credits: Brevard County Sheriff's Office
Speaking about recent violent protests in Los Angeles over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, Ivey said such behavior won’t be tolerated in Florida.
Federal and state law enforcement leaders joined Attorney General James Uthmeier at the press conference in Titusville and said that any "rioting" will be "nipped in the bud right away."
Attorney General Uthmeier backed the sheriff’s remarks, saying that Florida is not California.
Ivey said resisting lawful orders, blocking an intersection, or fleeing an arrest could result in jail time.
“If you try to mob rule a car… you will get run over and dragged across the street,” he told reporters.
"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," he continued.
Image credits: Brevard County Sheriff's Office
"If you throw a brick, a fire bomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains, because we will kill you, graveyard dead."
Ivey described his department’s approach as a return to “Old West” law and order. He stressed that officers will use lethal force if they feel their lives are in danger.
The message from law enforcement at the press conference was unified: protests are allowed, but violence will be shut down immediately.
Florida has had a strict approach to protests since 2021, when the state passed an anti-rioting law.
That law allows police to arrest peaceful protesters if demonstrations turn violent.
Governor Ron DeSantis said this week that the line between protesting and rioting is clearly drawn.
Protests across the country have been growing since President Donald Trump renewed his promise to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
Since 2021, Florida has had an anti-rioting law
Image credits: David McNew/Getty Images
Demonstrations against ICE raids in L.A. have been ongoing since last week, sparking Trump’s controversial decision to deploy 4,000 members of the National Guard and 700 active Marines to the city.
More than 75 protests are scheduled across Florida and other American states this Saturday as part of a national movement called “No Kings.”
The protests fall on the same day as Trump’s organized parade for his 79th birthday, which also coincides with the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
The movement’s name comes from a post Trump made earlier this year, in which he called himself a “king.”
Image credits: Mario Tama/Getty Images
"There's no reason other states shouldn't have the backs of the federal law enforcement officers and their families while they're in California or in any of the other states," said Larry Keefe, the executive director of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement.
As tensions rise across the country, Florida has already put out their message: to obey the law or face serious consequences.