2 Top Florida Dems Arrested at Abortion Bill Protest

Two of Florida’s top Democrats were arrested and taken away in handcuffs after protesting the state’s proposed six-week abortion ban.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and state Senate Democrat Leader Lauren Book were busted, along with about nine others at the Monday evening protest outside Tallahassee City Hall, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.

According to the newspaper, they had been sitting in a circle singing “Lean on Me.” They were reportedly inside a barricaded area of park that was closed.

Police had warned them they would be subject to arrests if they did not leave the area, the newspaper noted. As police approached, the protesters yelled: “shame, shame.”

A statement by the Tallahassee Police Department said: “TPD assisted in ensuring a safe environment” for demonstrators as they “peacefully protested.”

“After multiple warnings throughout the day, protesters acknowledged they understood that anyone refusing to leave the premises at sundown would be subject to arrest.

 “This evening, after sunset, the majority of the crowd left the property while 11 people refused to leave despite numerous requests. They were subsequently arrested for trespass after warning.”

The protest was sparked by the state Senate’s approval of a bill to ban abortions after six weeks. The ban would more closely align the state with the abortion restrictions of other Republican states, CBS News noted.

It would also provide Gov. Ron DeSantis a political win on a key issue for GOP primary voters ahead of his potential White House run.