Did Florida's governor sign into law a 'Run Em Over" law that protects drivers who run over protesters if the drivers are fleeing for safety from a mob? No, that's not true: Gov. Ron DeSantis did propose such legislation on September 21, 2020, but it has not been considered by Florida's legislature, which would have to pass it before the governor can sign it.
The claim appeared as a meme in from a post (archived here) shared on Facebook on September 23, 2020. The meme featured a screenshot of what DeSantis tweeted on September 21, 2020, along with the text:
FLORIDA SIGNS "RUN EM OVER" LAW
LOL I LOVE MY STATE
This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing:
(Source: Facebook screenshot taken on Thu Sep 24 23:19:56 2020 UTC)
This is the meme:
Gov. DeSantis announced his proposal -- titled COMBATTING VIOLENCE, DISORDER and LOOTING and LAW ENFORCEMENT PROTECTION ACT -- with a tweet on September 21, 2020:
Today I announced bold legislation that creates new criminal offenses and increases penalties for those who target law enforcement and participate in violent or disorderly assemblies. We will always stand with our men and women in uniform who keep our communities safe.
Today I announced bold legislation that creates new criminal offenses and increases penalties for those who target law enforcement and participate in violent or disorderly assemblies. We will always stand with our men and women in uniform who keep our communities safe. pic.twitter.com/ITl5GmmrZJ
-- Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) September 21, 2020
This is the description of the proposal:
While this may someday be law -- just as Florida's infamous "Stand Your Ground" law -- it is not currently the law and drivers should know they may have legal liability if they run over anyone while trying to flee a mob.
As an example of how some commenters are receiving the word they could run over protesters without legal problems, one of them shared this meme:
