Yesterday morning near MacDill Air Force Base, five people were arrested for obstructing traffic during a Veterans for Peace protest calling for an end to U.S. weapons and munitions shipments to Israel. WFLA reported the protest began around 9 a.m. and led to Tampa police receiving reports of blocked roadways. The arrests included charges of resisting an officer without violence and obstruction of a street.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, demonstrators carried signs such as “Free Palestine” and “Veterans against genocide.” Body camera footage released by Tampa police showed officers warning protestors about arrests if the roadway remained blocked.
WTSP reported that one officer told a protestor, “We want you to be able to send your message, okay, but if you do it in the road, you're going to force our hand to arrest you.”
The group included participants from various age ranges, with arrests spanning from 22-year-old Sierra Sizemore to 71-year-old Pamela Meyers. Each faces three misdemeanor charges. Statements obtained from protestors described concerns over the U.S. role in Gaza. One participant criticized the use of taxpayer money to support actions in Gaza.
The Tampa Police Department issued a statement emphasizing public safety and the importance of demonstrations being conducted responsibly.
