Tampa Police say individuals were endangering themselves and others; face multiple misdemeanor charges.
TAMPA, Fla. – Five protesters were arrested Thursday morning after they allegedly blocked traffic near MacDill Air Force Base, according to the Tampa Police Department.
Officers responded to the intersection of S Dale Mabry Highway and W Marcum Street at approximately 9:30 a.m. following reports of pedestrians obstructing the flow of vehicles.
Upon arrival, police found several individuals in the southbound lanes, which they said was “endangering and preventing the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrian travel, as well as themselves.”
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Police officials stated that officers urged the protesters to move to the grass median or sidewalks to continue their demonstration and issued multiple warnings that arrests would be made if they did not comply. Five individuals, however, did not heed the warnings and were subsequently taken into custody.
The arrested individuals were identified as:
- Marialana Kinter: facing three misdemeanor charges: Resisting an Officer Without Violence, Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official.
- Taylor Llamas: facing the same three misdemeanor charges.
- Joy Metzler: facing the same three misdemeanor charges.
- Pamela Meyers: facing the same three misdemeanor charges.
- Sierra Sizemore: facing the same three misdemeanor charges.
“We recognize that individuals may choose to peacefully express their First Amendment rights,” the statement read, adding that the goal is “to work together to ensure these events are safe, legal, and respect the rights of all.” The department also urged anyone planning to participate in a demonstration to do so in a “safe and responsible manner.”
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