Statement on Florida Gov. DeSantis' Proposed Expansion of “Stand Your Ground” law

The Community Justice Action Fund (CJAF) strongly opposes Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed expansion of the state’s ‘Stand Your Ground” law. This legislation would expand existing law to justify armed aggression towards anyone perceived to be “looting” or if conduct causes a business to be “impaired or interrupted.” This type of legislation weaponizes and uses the law as a legal justification for racially charged acts of violence.

 “Stand Your Ground” laws are dangerous for multiple reasons cited by the Rand Corporation: they're associated with the increase of homicides, they encourage the escalation of violence, and they have an undeniable disproportionate impact on communities of color. Expanding the scope of “Stand Your Ground” laws would only further threaten Black and brown people’s safety, and could embolden racist violence.