Gov. Scott defends emergency order

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott says he’s not trying to squash the speech of a white nationalist by declaring a state of emergency, but just wants to ensure public safety.

“I believe in the First Amendment rights that people have,” Scott told reporters after a Cabinet meeting Tuesday. “I do expect people to be safe. I don’t condone any violence. I’m going to continue with law enforcement to make sure all Floridians are safe.”

Scott declared a state of emergency on Monday for Alachua County ahead of a scheduled Thursday speech by the white nationalist Richard Spencer at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Scott said he was asked to do so by the Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell.

“The sheriff asked me to do the emergency order to make sure we had all the resources that might be needed to make sure the event that happens on Thursday goes without a hitch," Scott said.

The order also activates the Florida National Guard to help with security efforts. The university has said it will likely spend $500,000 on security for the event.

Spencer told the Associated Press on Monday the emergency order was “flattering” but likely “overkill” and claimed a similar order by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe ahead of a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville was an attempt to suppress his speech.

The Charlottesville rally erupted into chaos as antiracist protesters clashed with white nationalists who had gathered at a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. One protester was killed when a white nationalist drove a car into a crowd.