ORLANDO, Fla. — Eight Pro-Palestine demonstrators were arrested Saturday in Orlando after one of them lunged at an Orlando Police Department officer and someone with opposing views "in a physically threatening manner," the department said in a news release.
The incident reportedly started after a peaceful Pro-Palestine demonstration at Lake Eola involving 20 people. After the demonstration, officers responded around 5:30 p.m. to a commotion near a Publix on East Central Boulevard, according to the department.
Officers arrived to find some protestors arguing with a person "of opposing views." When police attempted to separate the two, one of the protesters reportedly lunged at one Orlando officer and the person the group was arguing with "in a physically threatening manner."
That demonstrator was arrested for disorderly conduct, according to OPD. The situation reportedly escalated when other demonstrators tried to interfere, leading to more arrests.
The eight demonstrators are facing several charges, including disorderly conduct, battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest, OPD said.
"The Orlando Police Department is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all who choose to assemble peacefully," officers stated in the news release. "Our priority is to protect the well-being of our residents, visitors, and businesses."
The arrests are prompting a response by the Central Florida Queers for Palestine. In a release, the group invited community members to gather at the Orange County Jail to show support for the activists.
"We believe in the right to protest and peacefully advocate for justice. Today’s arrests are a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who stand up for human rights," a spokesperson from Central Florida Queers for Palestine stated in the release. “We urge the community to rally in support of the eight individuals arrested and show solidarity with the victims of violence in the region.”
