Democratic leaders arrested during Florida protest over abortion ban

04 April 2023

Two Democratic leaders were arrested during a Florida protest after the state Senate passed banning abortions after six weeks.

According to WCTV, Florida Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D) and former Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried were among more than a dozen individuals arrested on Monday, April 3, in connection with the protest.

Per the news outlet, both Fried and Book were charged with trespassing on a property after receiving a warning. Fried was released on a $500 bond while Book was released without having to post a bond.

Following the arrests, the city of Tallahassee released a statement.

"The City had been working with protest organizers for over a week; however, due to the size of the crowd they were expecting and their desire for overnight camping, they were informed last Friday of the City’s inability to accommodate them," the statement read.

Tallahassee City Commissioner Jack Porter raised concerns about the arrests.

“Free speech and the right to peaceably assemble are fundamental American freedoms,” she wrote in a tweet. “I cannot speak for the conscience of this Commission majority, but I certainly do not support arresting protesters for exercising their constitutional rights in opposing extreme anti-choice legislation.”

In wake of the critical reactions, the Tallahassee Police Department has also released a statement addressing the series of events that transpired.

“TPD encourages individuals exercising their First Amendment right of peaceful assembly to do so in accordance with the law. TPD supports non-disruptive demonstrations and works diligently to protect and uphold the rights of citizens every day,” the statement said.

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