Anti-Rioting Law

Mayor Jane Castor established a task force last year in an attempt to change the Tampa Police Department by improving relations with the public, as well as beginning changes to police training.

A single Republican, Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, crossed party lines and joining Democrats in voting against the bill.

With critics warning that the bill would chill free speech and have a disparately negative impact on Black people, a key Senate committee Friday approved a controversial measure that Republicans argue is needed to crack down on violent protests.

Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, said he worries the measure cracks down on dissent — a tenant of American democracy — and does so in a way that would hurt Black and minority voices.

The bill would create new crimes related to violent protests and make it harder for local governments to reduce police spending.

An anti-rioting bill will be voted on by the Florida House Friday, but opponents spoke out against it in Tampa Thursday.