President Trump is not the only one facing a perp walk today. A protest against a bill limiting abortion in Florida ended with two top Florida Democrats being arrested.
Newly elected Democrat Party Chair Nikki Fried and Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book were both placed in handcuffs after refusing to leave Tallahassee City property according to reporting from Gary Fineout of Politico.
Sen. Book and Fried were joined by several people for a protest against Florida's "Heartbeat Protection Act" (SB7/HB300) which passed the Senate earlier today. The act will prohibit abortions after six weeks of pregnancy except in the cases of rape, incest or human trafficking.
Police just handcuffed & arrested protesters including @NikkiFried & @LeaderBookFL pic.twitter.com/NCdqHJxmcx
— Gary Fineout (@fineout) April 4, 2023
"Tonight in Tallahassee, our Chairwoman @NikkiFried and our Senate Leader @LeaderBook have been arrested for peacefully protesting a ban on reproductive healthcare in Florida. We will update you when we know more." Tweeted the official account for Florida Democrats earlier tonight.
Tonight in Tallahassee, our Chairwoman @NikkiFried and our Senate Minority Leader @LeaderBookFL have been arrested for peacefully protesting a ban on reproductive healthcare in Florida.
We will update you when we know more.
— Florida Democrats (@FlaDems) April 4, 2023
Twitter sprung into action. "I can't with these memes," tweeted Christina Pushaw, Rapid Response Director for Governor Ron DeSantis.
What a day! 4/3 #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/bJnhd19NIv
— PhotographicFloridian (@JackLinFLL) April 4, 2023
Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler joked that Fried had just been named GOP Employee of the Month for "leading the effort to achieve major democrat losses" with the hashtag "#FREENIKKI"
March 31st: @NikkiFried named @FloridaGOP Employee of the Month for leading the effort to achieve major Democrat losses in Jax.
April 3rd: Arrested.
Coincidence?#FREENIKKI https://t.co/ZdcSyoHTXA
— Christian Ziegler 🇺🇸 (@ChrisMZiegler) April 4, 2023
I mean, we did? pic.twitter.com/3UV5DAvTWe
— Just Mindy 🐊 (@just_mindy) April 4, 2023
Some found it amusing Fried was perp-walked before President Trump.
Nikki Fried got perp-walked before Donald Trump 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/TPjaK4eS5Y
— Rocky (@wavechaser2024) April 4, 2023
According to Fineout, Fried and Book were released on their own reconnaissance shortly after their arrest.
Per an attorney - Protesters picked up by police outside City Hall - including State Sen. @LeaderBookFL & Fla Dems chair @NikkiFried are being released on their own recognizance. Given notice to appear on misdemeanor trespassing charges
— Gary Fineout (@fineout) April 4, 2023
