Brevard County’s Sheriff Wayne Ivey just drew a line in the sand for would-be rioters. On Thursday, he warned that anyone turning violent during the upcoming “No Kings” protests in Florida will face arrest—or worse. The message was clear: chaos won’t be tolerated.
Sheriff Ivey’s warning comes ahead of nationwide “No Kings” protests planned for Saturday, targeting President Donald Trump’s administration. The anti-Trump group behind the demonstrations calls for a “day of defiance” to reject what they label authoritarianism. But recent riots in Los Angeles and New York City have law enforcement on high alert, reported the Daily Caller.
In Los Angeles, riots erupted on June 6 after ICE raids netted over 100 unauthorized migrants with serious criminal convictions. Protesters there didn’t hold back, torching cars, vandalizing property, and hurling Molotov cocktails at police. One Mexican national, Emiliano Garduno-Galvez, faces murder charges for attacking ICE agents with a firebomb.
Los Angeles saw more than burned cars and broken windows. Rioters in Paramount threw rocks at Customs and Border Protection agents, leaving one with a minor injury. Anti-ICE graffiti, like “Trump's A Lame,” defaced walls in Little Tokyo, as businesses boarded up to fend off looters.
President Trump responded by deploying 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to quell the violence in Los Angeles. California pushed back, filing a lawsuit against the troop deployment, but a federal judge rejected the state’s challenge on Tuesday. New York City wasn’t spared the unrest either.
Anti-ICE riots broke out there on Tuesday, with 86 people detained and 34 arrested for disorderly conduct. The protests dragged into Wednesday, keeping law enforcement on edge.
Sheriff Ivey didn’t mince words in his Thursday address. “If you resist lawful orders, you’re going to jail,” he declared, promising arrests for blocking roads or mobbing cars. His tone was unapologetic, reflecting a no-nonsense stance on public safety.
“If you spit on us, you are going to the hospital and then to jail,” Ivey continued. He warned that anyone throwing bricks or firebombs at deputies would face deadly force. “We will kill you, graveyard dead,” he said, doubling down on his commitment to order.
Ivey’s bluntness might shock some, but it’s rooted in recent events. The Molotov cocktails in Los Angeles and rock-throwing in New York show that the stakes are high. Florida’s not playing games when it comes to protecting its citizens.
The “No Kings” protests aim to “show what democracy looks like,” per their website. But burning cars and attacking police hardly scream democratic virtue. The group’s rhetoric may inspire some, but it’s fueling chaos in others.
Businesses in Los Angeles, like the Adidas store in Little Tokyo, aren’t taking chances. They’ve boarded up windows after earlier looting sprees. It’s a sad reality when shopkeepers must fortify against their neighbors.
Florida officials echoed Ivey’s hardline stance, vowing arrests or worse for violent acts. The state is ready to meet any anti-ICE riots head-on. Protesters might want to think twice before testing that resolve.
Sheriff Ivey’s warning isn’t just tough talk—it’s a response to a growing trend. Riots in major cities have left communities rattled and law enforcement stretched thin. Nobody wins when violence overshadows legitimate grievances.
The “No Kings” organizers claim they’re rejecting authoritarianism, but their protests risk becoming authoritarian themselves. Forcing chaos on cities doesn’t exactly scream freedom. It’s a twisted irony that’s hard to ignore.
As Saturday’s protests loom, the nation watches. Sheriff Ivey’s words linger: “We’re not going to play.” Here’s hoping cooler heads prevail, but Florida’s ready if they don’t.
