Florida’s Democratic Party Chairman and Senate Minority Leader were arrested last night in Tallahassee along with nearly a dozen demonstrators protesting the Senate’s approval of an abortion ban after 6 weeks of pregnancy.
The peaceful protest was taking place in front of Tallahassee City Hall and. The arrests were made by the police of this city for having stayed in a place without authorization. Several organizations that advocate for abortion rights participated in the protest, including NOW Bans Off Miami and Planned Parenthood.
“Shame, shame,” protesters chanted as Tallahassee police began making arrests after protesters refused to follow orders to leave because they did not have permission to continue the protest.
Among those arrested, Nikki Fried, Democratic candidate for governor of Florida and now chairwoman of the Democratic Party.
And Democratic Senator Lauren Book Minority Leader, both handcuffed during their arrest.
Nikki Fried, President of the Florida Democratic Party
“There are women who are going to die, I can’t put it better,” the party leader said when asked why she was at risk of being arrested. “This represents a total ban on abortion, we must speak out for the rights of all women,” she said.
Lauren Book, Democratic Minority Leader, says:
“I think sometimes you have to be prepared to do the right thing. As the leader of this minority, we must be very strong, the first to support our voters and the last to leave. »
In a news release, the Tallahassee Police Department said it warned protesters they could not stay in the area after sunset.
The ban after 6 weeks includes exceptions for rape or incest, but you must show proof of the authorities.
“It’s interesting that women will have to show papers to have an abortion for rape or incest, but you don’t have to show anything to carry a deadly weapon, which is what we did in Florida,” Book said.
They added that along with other Democrats, they had ensured that all those arrested were released on bail and had lawyers. It is unclear whether the prosecution will pursue the charges. The House of Representatives will vote in the coming days.