TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Tallahassee Police Department arrested 11 people Monday night outside of city hall including Nikki Fried, the chair of the Florida Democratic Party and Senate Democratic minority leader Lauren Book.
BREAKING: Tallahassee Police Department just arrested dozens of peaceful pro-choice protestors at City Hall outside of the Florida Capitol.
— Florida Planned Parenthood Action (@PPactionFL) April 4, 2023
This includes Senator @LeaderBookFL and FDP Chair @NikkiFriedFL.
Abortion is health care. pic.twitter.com/4O78dozXbg
WHAT HAPPENED
Book and Fried were part of a group protesting a six week abortion ban in Florida. According to TPD, protesters were given multiple warnings throughout the day that anyone refusing to leave the premises at sundown would be subject to arrest.
TPD says the majority of the crowd exited the property after sunset, but 11 people refused to leave despite numerous requests. Those people were arrested for trespassing.
Book and Fried were among the protesters released just before midnight Monday.
The police department said the city of Tallahassee had been working with protest organizers for over a week; however, due to the size of the crowd they were expecting and their desire for overnight camping, they were informed last Friday of the city’s inability to accommodate them.
Upon the group’s arrival to city hall Monday, they were allowed to utilize the property during normal operating hours.
ABORTION BILL
Senate Bill 300 passed the Florida Senate on Monday. The bill cuts the state's abortion ban from 15-weeks to six.
The bill still has to be approved by the Florida House of Representatives before Governor Ron DeSantis can sign the bill into law.
Occupy Tallahassee protested outside city hall Monday in support of reproductive freedom.
