More than a dozen arrested in protest outside Gov. DeSantis state Capitol office
TALLAHASSEE - About a dozen people were arrested Wednesday night while protesting outside Gov. Ron DeSantis' Florida Capitol Office.
The 14 arrested were charged with misdemeanor trespass and were booked into the Leon County Jail, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
"Once the building closes, unless you have an office in the Capitol, you're not allowed to be here," FDLE spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said, citing Department of Management Services policy.
The arrests were made by the Florida Capitol Police and Florida Highway Patrol, she said.
The protestors said they refused to leave until they had a meeting with the governor. The protest was organized by a human rights group called the Dream Defenders. Members of Florida Rising and Showing Up for Racial Justice also took part in it.
A number of controversial bills have been passed and signed into law this legislative session, which ends Friday. They include an abortion ban, illegal immigration restrictions and legislation targeting drags shows, the LGBTQ community and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.