Commissioner Nikki Fried on Florida House Democratic Caucus Taking Caucus Position Against HB 1

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, following the Florida House Democratic Caucus 41-0 vote to take a caucus position in opposition to HB 1, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, an independently-elected member of the Florida Cabinet, offered the following statement:

“I applaud the leadership of the Florida House Democrats in taking a caucus position against HB 1. Should the bill become law, I believe it would cause grave danger, be detrimental to the rights and liberties of Floridians, and inhibit the constitutional exercise of free speech. This bill was filed specifically in response to communities of color seeking redress of grievances as guaranteed by law. Instead of criminalizing those who protest, we should work to address the systemic issues that compel them to protest in the first place. Instead of this big government infringement on our democracy, we should seek to protect the millions of Floridians unemployed, hungry, disenfranchised, and sick.

The last thing Florida needs is the further weaponization of our criminal justice system and more needless, costly incarceration. Floridians need a public health strategy that works, an unemployment system that pays, and a government that protects them. When it fails to do so, they have the right to be heard and demand meaningful change peaceably. Instead of dignifying a bill that creates more fear and division, I encourage addressing very serious and real problems in our society. Spending time considering this frivolous legislation would represent a missed opportunity for meaningful legislation that protects free speech and democracy.”

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