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Protestors arrested at DeSantis’ Capitol office

A Florida human rights group staged a sit-in outside of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) office to protest the state’s string of conservative laws, that they described as “right wing attempts to dismantle democracy.” Dream Defenders, an activist group established in the wake of the 2012 killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., is demanding a meeting with DeSantis and vowed to stay“until DeSantis comes to speak to us.” In a press release, Dream Defenders said they hoped the protest would also inspire other states “to take action against the right wing attempts to dismantle democracy.” The Associated Press has the story:

Protestors arrested at DeSantis’ Capitol office

Newslooks- TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)

About a dozen people were arrested while protesting in Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Florida Capitol Office, officials said.

The 14 arrested were charged with misdemeanor trespass and were booked into the Leon County Jail, Florida Department of Law Enforcement spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger told the Tallahassee Democrat.

Florida state Sen. Jay Collins is forced to find an alternate route after dozens of activists block the entry to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office during a sit-in, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP)
Activists participate in a sit-in outside of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP)

“Once the building closes, unless you have an office in the Capitol, you’re not allowed to be here,” Plessinger said, citing Department of Management Services policy.

The arrests were made by the Florida Capitol Police and Florida Highway Patrol, she said.

Dozens of activists stage a sit-in outside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office and force people to step over them to reach DeSantis’ office as they speak out against the governor and his policies, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. Florida Republicans on Wednesday approved bills to ban diversity programs in colleges and prevent students and teachers from being required to use pronouns that don’t correspond to someone’s sex, building on top priorities of the Republican governor. (Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP)
Yareliz Mendez Zamora leads a chant for dozens of activists during a sit-in outside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat via AP)

The protestors said they refused to leave until they had a meeting with the governor. The protest was organized by a human rights group called the Dream Defenders.

A number of controversial bills have been passed and signed into law this legislative session, which ends Friday. They include an abortion ban, illegal immigration restrictions and legislation targeting drags shows, the LGBTQ community and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

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