Can No Kings protesters in Florida wear masks Saturday?
- It is legal to wear a mask at a protest in Florida as long as there is no intent to intimidate, threaten, or commit a crime.
- Florida’s anti-mask laws were originally created in 1951 to combat the Ku Klux Klan but were later amended.
- Committing a crime while wearing a mask in Florida increases the severity of the offense to the next higher level.
Protesters in Portland have donned frog costumes to taunt Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and gleefully diffuse the Trump administration’s claim that the peaceful city is rampant with crime and violent unrest. Protesters elsewhere often have covered their faces, both to hide their identities from reprisals and to offer some protection against potential pepper gas.
Can you wear masks in Florida at a “No Kings” protest? Is it legal?
Short answer: Technically yes, but be careful.
Thousands of people in the Sunshine State are preparing to gather at more than 80 “No Kings” protests across the state to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump and his policies.
That’s part of about 2,500 demonstrations and protests planned nationwide, a jump up from the approximately 2,100 “No Kings” protests held in July which drew an estimated 5 million people, according to organizers.
Protests are protected under the First Amendment provided streets and government buildings are not blocked. Florida also restricts protests within 500 feet of a residence, cemetery, funeral home, and house of worship, and the state comes down harshly on protesters who riot or cause damage to people or property.
According to the Florida ACLU, the Constitution protects actions that symbolically express a viewpoint such as music, theater, film, dance, holding a candlelight vigil or wearing masks and costumes.
“However, symbolic acts and civil disobedience that involve illegal conduct may be outside the realm of constitutional protections and can sometimes lead to arrest and conviction,” the Florida ACLU said.
Here’s what to know before you mask up.
Can I wear a mask while protesting in Florida?
Yes, although the laws can look a little confusing.
- Florida Statute 876.12 makes it illegal to wear a mask, hood or other device concealing any portion of the face on any public road, street, alley, walkway or highway
- Florida Statute 876.13 makes it illegal to conceal your face on public property
- Florida Statute 876.14 makes it illegal to conceal your face on private property
- Florida Statute 876.15 makes it illegal to conceal your face at a demonstration or meeting
- Florida Statute 876.16 adds exceptions for traditional holiday costumes; masks required for physical safety or a specific job; theatrical performances, celebrations or masquerade balls (Tampa’s Gasparilla Pirate Fest is specifically named); and gas masks during emergency management training
But Florida Statute 876.155 says all those restrictions only apply IF:
- The person wearing it is trying to deprive someone else of their rights, privileges and equal protection under the law
- The person wearing it intends to injure, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising their rights
- The person wearing it intends to intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass any other person, or
- The person wearing it is trying to avoid identification while committing a crime or civil infraction
Florida’s anti-mask laws were added in 1951 at a time when several states were passing similar legislation to prevent the Ku Klux Klan from remaining anonymous. The Florida Supreme Court found them unconstitutional in 1980, according to the Fifth District Court of Appeals, and 876.155 was added in 1981 to limit them to specifically prohibited activities.
All of which means masks are allowed, provided you are not trying to intimidate or threaten anyone or commit a crime.
Florida law harsher on criminals wearing masks
However, that’s something that could be decided by a law enforcement officer at the time or after the fact. A perceived threat could mean up to 60 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.
Anyone wearing a mask or concealing costume during a protest should take pains to avoid any sort of threatening moves, statements or actions that could even loosely be interpreted as harassment, intimidation or criminal action.
That includes violating Florida’s new HALO law, which requires anyone to back off 25 feet from a first responder (including law enforcement) during the performance of their duties if asked.
Misdemeanors and felonies are all bumped to the next higher level if you’re wearing a mask when you commit the offense, under Florida law. A second-degree misdemeanor becomes a first-degree misdemeanor, a first-degree misdemeanor becomes a third-degree felony, and so on.
Didn’t Gov. DeSantis ban masks?
No, just mask mandates.
As part of his efforts to undermine mask and vaccine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order in 2021 to ban mask requirements in schools. After surviving a legal challenge, the EO was made law after a special legislative session later that year.
In 2023, DeSantis signed SB 252, which prohibits any businesses, governmental entities, and educationalinstitutions from requiring a person to wear a mask, a face shield, or any other facial covering for admittance or services.
See map of planned No Kings protests in Florida
➤ Go to nokings.org to see a the most recent list of registered events taking place in Florida
Blue pins designate “private events” registered at nokings.org.
Where can I find a ‘No Kings’ protest in Florida?
According to the nokings.org website, Florida events are currently planned in:
- Apalachicola: Market St and Avenue E, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET
- Bartow: Intersection of Van Fleet & Broadway, 801 N Broadway Ave., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
- Boca Raton: 201 W Palmetto Park Road, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Bradenton: 5584 Cortez Road W, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Brooksville / Spring Hill: State Route 50 & Mariner Blvd., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Casselberry: 4453 S US Hwy 17-92, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Clearwater: Duke Energy Trail Overpass, 2605 Enterprise Rd E, 9 – 10 a.m. ET
- Clearwater/North Pinellas: Gulf to Bay & Park Place Blvd., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Clermont: 685 W Montrose Street, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
- Cocoa: U.S. Route 1 & Florida 520, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET
- Coral Springs: West Sample Road & North University Drive, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET
- Davenport: Posner Village, Posner Blvd., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
- Daytona Beach: Daytona Beach City Hall, 301 S Ridgewood Ave., 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET
- Defuniak Springs: Lake yard by the duck spot, 1226 Circle Drive, 12 – 2 p.m. CT
- DeLand: Downtown DeLand – Corners of Woodland & New York, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Dunnellon: Private event, sign up for details, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Englewood: East Dearborn Street & North Indiana Ave., 9 – 10:30 a.m. ET
- Florida City: Florida City City Hall, 404 W Palm Drive, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET
- Fort Lauderdale:
- Fort Myers:
- Fort Pierce: Walgreens, 2592 S Jenkins Road, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET
- Fort Walton Beach: Fort Walton Beach Landing Park, 139 Brooks St SE, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. CT
- Gainesville: Cora Roberson Park, 600 SW 6th Street, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Gulfport: Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd S, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Hollywood: Hollywood Young Circle, 1 N Young Circle, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Inverness: Old Citrus County Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square, 9 – 11 a.m. ET
- Jacksonville Northside Caravan: Private event, sign up for details, 12 – 2:30 p.m. ET
- Key Largo: Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Hwy, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Key West: Bayview Park, 1320 Truman Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Lake City: Olustee Park, 169 N Marion Ave., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET
- Lake Mary: 1525 International Pkwy., near Cory Mills Office on 46A & International Parkway, 10 a.m. – 12 pm. ET
- Lake Worth Beach: Lake Worth Beach City Hall, 7 N Dixie Hwy, 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET
- Lakeland: Freedom Park, 300 N Florida Ave., 1 – 3 p.m. ET
- Largo: Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Leesburg: 9501 US-441, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Live Oak: Private event, sign up for details, 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET
- Manatee: UTC Area, south side of University Parkway in front of Target parking lot, 101 N Cattlemen Road, 9 – 11 a.m. ET
- Marathon: Sombrero Beach Road & Overseas Hwy, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Melbourne/Palm Bay: Palm Bay Road & Babcock Street, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. ET
- Miami: 301 Biscayne Blvd., 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
- Mount Dora: North Donnelly Street, Hwy. 441, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET
- Naples: Collier County Courthouse, 3315 Tamiami Trail E, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- New Smyrna Beach: Private event, sign up for details, 9 – 11 a.m. ET
- Ocala: Ocala Downtown Square, 9 – 11 a.m. ET
- Orange City: Corners of Saxon Blvd. & Enterprise Road, 897 Saxon Blvd., 1 – 3 p.m. ET
- Orange Park: 2297 Kingsley Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Orlando: Orlando City Hall, 400 S Orange Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Ormond Beach: Foot of the Granada Bridge (west side), Beach Street & West Granada Blvd, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Palatka: Reid Street & Memorial Parkway, on the bridge and along Reid Street, 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET
- Palm Beach Gardens: PGA Boulevard & Campus Drive, 3188 PGA Blvd., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Palm Coast:
- Old Kings Road & Palm Coast Parkway Northeast Route 100, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Belle Terre Parkway, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Panama City: Hathaway Bridge, 4600 Collegiate Drive, 4 – 6 p.m CT
- Pensacola: Airport Boulevard & North 9th Avenue, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. CT
- Plant City: Private event, sign up for details, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Poinciana: Solivita Blvd., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Ponte Vedra: U.S. Route 1 & Race Track Road, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Port Charlotte: U.S. 41 & Murdock Circle, 18500 Murdock Circle, 9 – 10 a.m. ET
- Port St. Lucie:
- Riverview: 11111 Bloomingdale Ave., 2 – 4 p.m. ET
- Sanibel Island: Grassy area in front of Tahitian Gardens, 1975 Periwinkle Way, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Sarasota: Payne Park, 2010 Adams Lane, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Sebastian: Riverview Park, Co Road 512, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET
- Sebring: U.S. 27 & Sebring Drive, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET
- St. Augustine: Castillo de San Marcos Nation Monument, 11 San Marco Ave., 9 – 11 a.m. ET
- St Petersburg: Tyrone Square, 6901 22nd Ave N, 9:30 – 11 a.m. ET
- Starke: Corner of 301 and 100, 205 W Madison Street, 12 – 2 p.m. ET
- Stuart: U.S. Route 1 & Florida 76, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. ET
- Sun City Center: Private event, sign up for details, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Tallahassee: 400 S Monroe Street, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Tampa: Tampa City Hall, E Kennedy Blvd., 4 – 7 p.m. ET
- The Villages:
- Trinity: 3240 Little Road (Chili’s), 12 – 2 p.m. ET
- Venice: Michael Biehl Park, 100 Tampa Ave W, corner of Tampa Ave. & US-41, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
- Vero Beach: Florida 60 & 58th Ave., 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. ET
- Wesley Chapel: Private event, sign up for details
- West Palm Beach: Private event, sign up for details, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
- Zephyrhills: Alice Hall Community Center, 38116 5th Ave., 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET