In the midst of widespread protests planned across the United States, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey made headlines for issuing a stark warning to any protesters who resort to violence.
Ahead of the No Kings protests scheduled for Saturday, Ivey threatened that law enforcement in his jurisdiction would take deadly force against anyone who posed a threat to police officers.
“If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at,” Ivey said during a press conference on Thursday.
“Because we will kill you graveyard dead. We’re not going to play.” His statement was made in the presence of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who was standing alongside the sheriff as they discussed the increasing tensions surrounding the protests.
Sheriff Ivey’s Warning to Protesters
Sheriff Ivey acknowledged that peaceful protests are an integral part of democracy, stating, “We invite people to share their opinions.” However, he stressed that any form of violent protest would be met with swift and deadly retaliation from law enforcement.
He further added, “You do not want to do that in Brevard County … and I believe I can speak for my fellow sheriffs around the rest of the state.”
Ivey’s comments were specifically directed at the upcoming No Kings protests, which are set to take place in multiple cities across the nation, including Florida.
The protests, originally organized by the 50501 Movement, are in opposition to the Trump administration and are calling for an end to executive overreach.
Although the organizers claim to be a peaceful movement, previous protests have seen violence erupt in cities like Los Angeles and New York City.
The No Kings Protests and Tensions with Law Enforcement
The protests, which have garnered significant national attention, come amid increasing unrest over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, particularly in California.
Protests in Los Angeles turned violent after ICE agents conducted raids across the city targeting suspected undocumented immigrants.
This prompted President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard to California, a move that has been heavily criticized by California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
While tensions between protestors and law enforcement continue to escalate, Ivey’s threat seems to reflect broader concerns from law enforcement about the rising frequency of violent protests. “I don’t want to hear any whining later saying, ‘we didn’t know,’” Ivey remarked, referring to the violence seen in other cities.
Florida’s Tough Stance on Protests
The Brevard County sheriff’s warning aligns with Florida’s reputation for taking a strong stance on protests. The sheriff’s department has referred to Florida as the “anti-riot state,” a label that was prominently displayed on the podium during the press conference.
According to Florida Today, at least two protests are planned for Saturday in Brevard County, with several others expected in neighboring counties.
Ivey’s remarks come at a time when protests in other states, particularly California, have raised alarm about potential civil unrest. While the No Kings protests are intended to be peaceful, Ivey’s comments suggest that any deviation from nonviolence will be met with extreme consequences.
The Political Context and National Attention
The No Kings protests are set to coincide with President Trump’s 79th birthday on Saturday, as well as a military parade in Washington, D.C. to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
The political undertones of the protests, particularly their opposition to the Trump administration, have only heightened the stakes for the demonstrations, which will likely see a heavy presence of law enforcement.
Despite the 50501 Movement’s stated commitment to nonviolence, past protests have shown the potential for conflict, and Ivey’s comments serve as a stern warning to those considering participating in violent demonstrations.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey’s bold comments serve as a warning to any protester who might consider using violence during the upcoming No Kings protests in Florida.
While peaceful protests are protected under democratic rights, Ivey’s comments indicate that any violent actions in Brevard County will not be tolerated, and law enforcement will not hesitate to use deadly force if necessary.
With the growing tensions across the country, these remarks shed light on the increasingly volatile intersection of protests and law enforcement.
