Alt-right white nationalist Richard Spencer is continuing his 2017 rally campaign with a visit to the University of Florida this week, and the controversial juncture has drawn the attention of the state's top official. The scheduled address has reportedly warranted Florida Gov. Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency in lead up to what authorities anticipate will be a hectic day for law enforcement in Gainesville.
Last weekend, Spencer and his followers returned to Charlottesville for the first time since the violent Unite the Right rally that led to the death of activist Heather Heyer in August. According to reports, the group only surrounded the location's controversial Robert E. Lee statue for 10 minutes before leaving the city on the bus that brought them in. But their convening was enough to spark outrage among officials, who immediately called upon the Charlottesville Commonwealth Attorney to look into whether they committed any violations by posting up without a permit.
In a 7-page executive order issued on Monday, October 16, Gov. Scott cited "violence, civil unrest and multiple arrests" as his reasons for calling a state of emergency.
“I find that the threat of a potential emergency is imminent,” the order reads, adding, "I have been in constant contact with Sheriff [Sadie] Darnell who has requested this Executive Order to ensure that county and local law enforcement have every needed resource."
Source: washingtonpost.com
