MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa Bay supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have strong criticism for Florida’s anti-riot law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) this week.
BLM held a rally with roughly 40 people in attendance Wednesday night in Bradenton in front of the Manatee County Courthouse. Organizers told NewsNation affiliate WFLA they invited numerous city and county leaders, who did not attend.
BLM supporters were frustrated by the absence, but admit their goal was to have one person, in particular, hear their message loud and clear.
That person was not invited, but organizers hope the passionate speeches they gave will travel all the way to the state capital, Tallahassee.
One mom told the crowd she hopes Gov. Ron DeSantis is listening. Then, she had this message for him.
“I’m coming for your job,” said Natasha Clemmons. “That’s my message to him.”
That message was repeated with passion and fervor over and over again throughout the rally. One by one, people approached the microphone to share their anger and frustrations.
“This will stop or I will die trying,” Clemmons added.
BLM wants the governor out of office, along with his anti-riot bill described as racist by those in attendance.
“Let him know that we’re not afraid and we will fight back. We are not afraid to go to jail,” Clemmons told a cheering crowd.
Gov. DeSantis says this bill has swift and immediate penalties, including felony charges, for protestors who encourage unrest in a riot by inciting violence in a crowd.
“This legislation strikes the appropriate balance of safeguarding every Floridian’s constitutional right to peacefully assemble, while ensuring that those who hide behind peaceful protest to cause violence in our communities will be punished,” the Associated Press reports DeSantis said in a statement.
BLM maintains the bill unfairly targets minorities, a claim supported by the ACLU.
“We did not need this bill. We can see it for what it is. It is a racist bill. Instead of giving the black community justice, he’s looking to criminalize protestors,” Ruth Beltrain said.
Natasha Clemmons agrees.
“I’m afraid for my own life. I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. Who in the hell is Governor Desantis that he can just come up with these orders and laws so that we can’t protect ourselves?” Clemmons said.
The Manasota chapter of Black Lives Matter says members have been informed that a rally may take place in Tampa this weekend. If that rally does happen, members from this chapter will travel to Tampa to show support.