Florida officials
once again reminded the state's residents that Florida is
not California and threatened arrest and even death for protesters who become violent in the
Sunshine State . At a news conference in Titusville, Attorney General James Uthmeier was joined by federal and state law enforcement leaders, who said they will ensure any "rioting" will be "nipped in the bud right away." "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," Brevard County Sheriff
Wayne Ivey added. "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," the sheriff said. It's a severe message in response to protests in other parts of the country that have turned violent against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Since President Donald Trump took office in January and started acting on his campaign promise of mass deportations, ICE and related agencies have quickly escalated efforts to remove undocumented immigrants, prompting demonstrations in Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, New York and other major cities. Florida passed an 'anti-riot' bill in 2021 that says peaceful protesters can face criminal charges if their actions become violent. On June 9, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state has "drawn the line very clearly" between protesting and rioting. Across the country, "No Kings" protests are planned for Saturday, which coincides with with Flag Day,
President Donald Trump's 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's
250th anniversary celebration and military parade taking place in Washington, D.C. The "No Kings" name derives in part from a February 2025
Truth Social post in which Trump referred to himself as a king. According to the No Kings website, as of June 10
over 75 protests ― including Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fernandina Beach and St. Augustine ― are
planned across Florida . At the news conference, law enforcement officials remained steadfast in their support of federal anti-illegal immigration efforts and vowed to protect ICE officers who are "being put in harm's way just for doing their jobs." Uthmeier said if ICE officers feel they are being intimidated or threatened while in Florida, they now will be able to notify the Florida Highway Patrol, which will provide "routine check-ups and patrols." FHP Col. Gary Howze said in the past several months the state has detained over 2,000 "UDAs," a term for undocumented alien.
What's happening with immigration laws and No Kings protest security in Jacksonville?
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said it is well-prepared for Saturday’s planned protests. "Our agency supports and respects Americans’ constitutional right to peacefully protest," the Sheriff's Office said a day ahead of the protests. "However, any conduct outside of the law will not be tolerated, so that JSO can provide for the safety and security of all Jacksonville citizens." The Sheriff's Office also has been proactive in monitoring social media and tips about potential violence, as evidenced by the June 11 arrest of a 26-year-old Jacksonville man charged with sending a written threat to conduct an act of terrorism. An investigation linked him to a social media post saying if he sees protesters against ICE and the deportation of illegal immigrants that he would run them over with a tow truck. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office also advised it is aware of the protests, including one there, and provided a similar statement as Jacksonville. "Our agency supports the constitutional right to peaceful demonstrations," the Clay Sheriff's Office said. "Criminal activity will not be tolerated and will be addressed swiftly. We are committed to maintaining a lawful and orderly community. Deputies will be in the immediate area to ensure the safety of everyone involved." In St. Johns County, the Sheriff's Office provided this statement: "SJSO supports the First Amendment right to protest for all citizens. The organizers have voiced their commitment to a peaceful assembly and additional law enforcement resources will be available to ensure the safety of attendees and others traveling in the area of the planned events." In Jacksonville there's also been a lot contentious developments with local immigration laws. The city has implemented a law that authorizes local officials to imprison people by using enforcement powers that belong exclusively to the federal government. Jacksonville became the
first city in the nation with such a local immigration law . The Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act (
2025-147) makes it a Class B offense in the city's Ordinance Code for an immigrant who is 18 or older to enter the city without legal status. A conviction would carry a mandatory 30-day jail sentence. A repeat offender of that law would face a mandatory 60-day jail sentence. The Sheriff's Office says it will enforce the law despite advice by the city's Office of General Counsel to hold off while a federal injunction blocks a similar state law. In addition, a recent 11-7 vote by the Jacksonville City Council will require many nonprofit organizations to make sure any city grant funding they get
won't assist residents who are in the U.S. illegally . But the council exempted all services for children during a June 10 debate that brought angry exchanges about motives and messages.
Ana Goñi-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network – Florida, can be reached at .
(This story was updated with a news statement from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.)
