A Florida sheriff delivered a grave warning to protesters planning to join nationwide "No Kings" protests on Saturday, drawing swift condemnation from the state's chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
Wayne Ivey, the Brevard County sheriff, said at a Thursday news conference, "If you hit one of us, you're going to the hospital and jail, and most likely get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs that we have here."
The sheriff continued, "If you throw a brick, a fire bomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains, because we will kill you, graveyard dead. We're not going to play."
Ivey's comments come amid increasingly heated protests in Los Angeles, which have included both peaceful demonstrations and violent incidents. While officials say most protesters in the city have remained peaceful, some protesters have hurled projectiles at law enforcement officers, set vehicles ablaze, and looted businesses and eateries.
Law enforcement agents have responded with force, including using tear gas, foam projectiles, rubber bullets, and mounted units to disperse crowds. Hundreds have been arrested.
Florida state officials have warned any rioting would be "nipped in the bud right away."
The ACLU of Florida warned the state's sheriffs they will shell out millions in damages if they use excessive force on protesters, USA Today reported Friday.
"Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey’s violent and provocative threat to 'kill' protesters exercising their First Amendment rights is extremely un-American, and unbecoming for an elected leader sworn to protect the public," the Florida ACLU chapter wrote in a post on social media.