Florida Governor Signs Emergency Law Mandating 'Lunar Lockdown' for full moon may 2026, Citing Surge in 'Satanic Rituals' and Teen Vandalism
In a move that has stunned civil libertarians and astronomers alike, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order today that will impose a mandatory 8 p.m. curfew for all minors and restrict the sale of black candles, ceremonial daggers, and live poultry statewide during the upcoming full moon may 2026. The law, titled the "Lunar Responsibility Act," claims the full moon period—which falls on May 5th, 2026—is statistically linked to a 340% spike in "occult-inspired property damage" and "demonic dares" among high school students. Critics argue the law is a dangerous overreach that conflates harmless pagan traditions with criminal behavior and sets a slippery slope toward regulating celestial events as state emergencies. "We are sacrificing our First Amendment rights on the altar of fear-mongering," said ACLU spokesperson Linda Rhodes. The Governor's office responded with a statement reading: "When the moon is full, the devils walk among us, and it is our duty to protect the children." The law takes effect at sunset on May 4th, 2026, and will be enforced by local sheriffs and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.