July 6, 2020
By: Tiffany Razzano
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – One of St. Petersburg’s protest leaders, Terron Gland, has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a Monday morning post to the public St. Pete Peace Protest Facebook page, Gland wrote that he tested positive Sunday and will quarantine for 14 days. He also suggested that “everyone get tested.”
The group plans to meet in North Straub Park this evening at 7 p.m. for a sit-in protest of the grand opening of the St. Pete Pier.
In a Facebook post promoting tonight’s protest, the group tells protestors to bring face masks and “practice social distancing where (they’re) able.”
Gland said he is “in good spirits and looking forward to a speedy recovery” in a Facebook message.
“St. Pete Peace Protest has been actively marching for 36-plus days and most days two marches. Studies have shown that protesting does not create an increased rate of exposure to the virus,” he wrote. “We will continue with the safety practices that we have been recommended from the beginning.”
He said the protest group encourages social distancing at events and provides face masks and hand sanitizer to attendees.
On Friday afternoon, the group also handed out food and masks to the “houseless population in St. Petersburg,” he said. “As we fight for justice, we will continue to find ways to assist our most vulnerable population.”
Gland added, “I’m fortunate that I was able to go to the emergency room and get tested immediately. Many of the people in Pinellas County would like to be tested but can’t get an appointment. The focus should be to ensure that we make testing more available for those who need it.”
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