Overview

• On June 11 on The Rubin Report, DeSantis said drivers surrounded by protest crowds have a right to flee by driving away even if they hit people blocking them.
• His remarks come days before the 'No Kings' protests set for June 14 in Florida, which organizers say will be nonviolent and include de-escalation training.
• The comments have reignited debate over the boundaries of self-defense and free speech protections at public demonstrations.
• Critics note the reference to the 2017 Charlottesville attack, where Heather Heyer was killed and James Alex Fields Jr. was convicted of first-degree murder.
• The controversy has positioned Florida at the center of national discussions on protest rights and public safety ahead of the planned demonstrations.