In the Orlando Sentinel editorial, the paper alleged that the First District Court is playing politics and "persecuting Uhlfelder to send a message that here in Florida, you don't mess with this governor."
Former Justice Lewis appears to agree, as does former First District Court of Appeals Chief Justice Robert Benton, who joined with Lewis in praising Uhlfelder for filing the lawsuit and encouraged him to appeal. Lewis argued that Uhlfelder was expressing his First Amendment rights when he sought legal action during a pandemic.
"When a citizen believes the governor is violating his constitutional duty to preserve the life and well-being of his citizens, he has the right to bring that claim before a court of general jurisdiction and, if the trial court believes it cannot hear it but encourages an appeal, the Floridian has the right to seek an appeal of that decision," wrote Lewis.
Responding to the Bar grievance committee, Uhlfelder's lawyer warned that DeSantis shouldn't "get a blank check" during a national public health crisis. He also argued that if the Florida Bar intends to take action they'll be going down a "very dangerous road that history has shown is rife with problems."
Florida has seen a dramatic increase in hospitalizations and COVID cases as the deadly delta variant has spread through communities there. DeSantis has taken little action to ensure public safety, going so far as to get into a war with communities and school districts that want to require masks while inside.
Yeah, no shit. As if we didn't see it with Trump. As if we didn't see it after Jones blew the whistle. I hope the fucking state pays up.