A protest organizer was arrested following an interview about a protest against President Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela.
Grand Rapids Opponents of War and 22-year-old preschool teacher Jessica Plichta spoke to her local news station about an event to condemn Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s capture when she was suddenly arrested. In a video posted to the outlet’s YouTube channel, police can be seen moving in behind the Plichta and placing her in handcuffs.
Watch:
(Video Credit: 13 ON YOUR Side)
“It’s not just a foreign issue; it’s our tax dollars that are being used to commit these war crimes,” she was heard saying on camera. “It is also the duty of us, the people, to stand against the Trump regime, the Trump administration, that are committing crimes both here in the U.S. and against people in Venezuela.”
Apparently, the young woman has recently returned from Venezuela, where she attended the People’s Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty of Our America summit, and feels quite strongly about the capture of Maduro.
“I saw Maduro in person. People loved him. Maduro was elected by the people. He is for the people, and the people want to see his return. Free Maduro,” she said.
According to the report, she was arrested for “obstructing a roadway and failure to obey a lawful command from a police officer.”
The Grand Rapids Police Department issued a statement regarding the arrest, as reported by AlterNet.
“A group was marching in the roadway. Over 25 announcements were made from the PA system of a marked police cruiser for the group to leave the roadway and relocate their activities to the sidewalk. Blocking traffic in this manner is a direct violation of city and state law,” a spokesperson explained. “The group refused lawful orders to move this free speech event to the sidewalk and instead began blocking intersections until the march ended. Patrol officers consulted with their sergeant and the watch commander, who informed the officers that if the individuals could be located, they were subject to arrest. The adult woman who was arrested was positively identified by officers, and the lawful arrest was made.”
Upon her release, Plichta spoke about her experience with media outlet Zeteo, where she said it was awfully suspicious that she was the only one arrested out of the entire crowd.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that as soon as I finished an interview speaking on Venezuela, I was arrested – the only person arrested out of 200 people.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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