It’s getting hard to find a line, in sand or black sharpie, which GOP leadership won’t cross. Seems like they’re even drawing their own lately, just so they can proudly step over them. Call it the Prance of the Playtriots, because Proud Boys On Parade is just too cynical. Is it just resentment at the Chauvin verdict which has catalyzed red state legislators to submit and pass laws declaring open season on certain protesters? The only stipulation: you have to use a motor vehicle, and those you run over can’t be patriots. Call that the Hugs On Jan. 6th, or the Ron Johnson clause. Or not. In any case, the Anitfa/BLM statute can now be be used to justify vehicular homicide. Happiness is a warm bumper.
One place passing such a law is Florida, home of the “stand your ground” law, where you can discharge a gun to protect yourself in your own dwelling, unless you’re a black woman trying to back off an abusive spouse. Then you go to jail. Call that the Marissa Alexander clause. And don’t try using the George Zimmerman clause, where you “stand your ground” by following a black teenage boy even after being warned not to. Can’t use it for that. But you CAN use the “hoodies are deadly weapons” defense, where you assault them, shoot them dead, then claim self defense. Call that one the Trayvon Martin clause. Florida, the “Judge Judy” of courtroom decisions.
Now in DeSantis’s state, standing your ground while a real patriot runs you down will not be recognized as defensible if you’re participating in a violent protest. I don’t know whether dash cam videos will need to be entered as evidence for acquittal in any such case, but in their absence, who’s being violent might come down to a matter of opinion. I don’t want to use the To Kill A Mockingbird comparative here, but seems like juries in Florida are known to have a slightly different idea of culpability where guilt is concerned, depending on who does what. Call that the “complexion for protection” clause. And maybe name it the Heather Heyer law, as a way of memorializing her. Let it not be said that she died in vain.