Jessica Plichta, a 22-year-old anti-war protester, was arrested live on camera in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on January 3, 2026. She was speaking to a local news outlet about her opposition to U.S. military action related to Venezuela when police detained he
Welcome to America 2026. Any views against the government are deemed hostile. I am delighted to have removed my citizenship to America just before Christmas. This is a crisis to the world, it’s not just Trump, look at his followers, this is now America, like 1930s Germany.
That's what that hussey deserves taking up all that person sized space on the sidewalk with that much foot traffic. Not to mention holding up the camera operator blocking MORE space.......
Listen I’m a huge proponent of no kings and fuck maduro. However fuck anyone who oppresses free speech. I hope someone go their badge numbers and a good lawyer. I don’t agree with her message but I agree with her right to scream it from the mountain tops.
That's not a Goddamned roadway. That is very obviously a snow-covered sidewalk. She needs to retain the greediest lawyer on Earth and sue the motherfuck out of Grand Rapids.
She also isn't inconveniencing the people in power, she is inconveniencing every single regular person that tried to drive on that road. Protest on the sidewalk, follow the law. Its simple. Y'all are just dangerously stupid.
Imgurians and hypocrisy, name a better combo. Screech about the administration breaking the law, perfectly fine with a protestor breaking the law. Y'all are ridiculous
Law =/= morality. Sometimes they coincide. Sometimes they don't. Some laws are quite obvious crimes like abducting people. Other crimes like protesting in the streets that our taxes pay for is clearly there mostly to stymie dissent. If you cannot see that difference you really have no business in this conversation.
They didnt arrest her during that though. This was on the sidewalk after the protest and they purposefully did it during the interview. Gfy bootlicker. Protests should incur more than inconvenience.
"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. 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."
You are so ignorant: "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. 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..
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."
convenient protests done with permission are not protests. You just explained being arrested for protesting with a lot of extra steps. Too much is at stake for pussy footing around the rules of fascists and their enforcers.
They targeted her. If it was about the street the arrest should have happened to far more people and DURING the protest. This was their flimsy justification for the arrest but the intent is crystal clear. They could have waited for the cameras to shut off but the point was to deter people from speaking up. If we are lucky this backfires and galvanizes people. But it won't do that with people making apologist comments like this kneecapping what is a clear bullshit arrest.
I made the comment because when I got to the post there was someone else claiming it was because she had illegally left her car blocking the road. I'd rather there be actual accurate information available so we all know what the police comment was and what her comments were. Clearly the intent is political, especially if you read the article.
I don't see the comment as apologist. It provided missing information of what she was arrested for, something I was personally curious about because that info was missing from the title. They even provided a link to a local abc station as their source. Nowhere did they say it was a justifiable arrest
Definitely and that's nothing new or particular to this regime, though back in the day they would be pulling you aside as you were protesting/being a nuisance, rather than once you were dispersed. But that also started happening when they started declaring some protests as 'riots' or 'mobs' and made use of surveillance cameras to then follow up with people later. It's clear what their intentions were here.
yes, thats one of the results of peaceful protest. MLK Jr. used such tactics in Birmingham to purposefully get in front of a judge to challenge unjust laws. Like its kind of the point, "We're going to do something illegal, peacefully, to get your attention."
Please go educate yourself on what "free speech" actually means and what it's used for. It does not mean you get to say whatever you damn well please and do whatever you want wherever you want without repercussions.
No one stated otherwise. What it DOES stand for is that you can say what you want--within reason--and the government cannot stop you. The first amendment protects you SPECIFICALLY from government consequences, not social ones. Please follow the advice of your first sentence. What exactly was stated there that is not protected by the first amendment, champ?
land of the free. Yes, that have always been a joke here. It doesn't differ from Soviet Union. Or somewhat, soviets had general healthcare and excellent schooling system. Biased, but good.
"Welcome to the United Snakes Land of the thief, home of the slave Grand imperial guard where the dollar is sacred and power is God" Brother Ali - Uncle Sam Goddamn
"The finger to the land of the chains What? The 'land of the free'? Whoever told you that is your enemy Now something must be done About vengeance, a badge, and a gun" - Rage Against the Machine
Land of the asinine, home of the bigoted. A culture that worships wealth, fame, stupidity and itself. All the empty headed rhetoric in the world won't change what ameica and always has been.
She was allowed to hold her march and speak freely to the media. They arrested her afterward for violating the local ordinance that you can't march in the street without filing paperwork
As I explained....he macxh was before this. The news crew had her go to the sidewalk for the interview. This was after the march was over. I really wish this was something because I am so tired of 2026 already, but it's my home city too. Her message got out and became international/national news. It was a win/win for the protest
That was actually the point, to make it equally silly as the comment I responded to. Everyone can protest, but of course you need special permission to do something that normally breaks the law while protesting. Saying you don't have the right to protest because you need permission to do some things while protesting is just silly to me.
I agree, would love to see how the people downvoting you would behave if there had been an emergency and crews couldn’t get to the scene fast enough because the protesters were blocking the road.
I can't downplay that, but: I'd really like to see more disturbances in the short term so we can get, ya know, a society that works in ACTUALLY preventing tens if not hundreds of thousands of death to: unaffordable medical care, homelessness, actual starvation, rampant gun violence- we spend SO much money on BLOWING PEOPLE UP while 60% of us can't afford a basic medical bill or a car repair- a lot of us are struggling to make rent.
That isnt the story at all. The organized march was through the streets during rush hour in a major metropolitan area filled with ice and snow. The police drove next to them the whole march telling them 25 times they needed to be on the sidewalk. The police waited for her to get through with her interview and then arrested her because the local ordinance says to march in the street you have to fill out paperwork fue to public safety concerns. They did not stop her from speaking at all
Oh no., the police told them they need to protest somewhere else and they didn't listen? We should always listen to the police when exercising 1st amendment rights
Does it even matter? What kinda country prides itself on "right to free speech, you can even protest the government. No not like that. We got ya on a technicality". The president is a child rapist and no cops have the guts to arrest him for it.
That is good context, and thank you for providing it. Follow up question: which should get you arrested: killing 40 people and capturing the head of state of another country, or marching in the street complaining about the former?
The whole idea that protests need to be contained to areas that won't affect anything is deeply fucked when you think about it and is probably a decent contributing factor to protests not actually leading to change in the last few decades.
So the police drove next to the illegal march the entire time, repeatedly telling them to get off the road, rather than stopping the illegal march and arresting everyone participating. Then after the march was over and this lady is on the sidewalk where she's supposed to be, they come over to arrest her right after she gives a tv interview? Make this make sense.
There are a number of potential factors involved in the timing of the arrest-- e.g., size of the crowd (I saw footage yesterday, but could only say it looked like more than 10, less than 100), number of available officers and units, order of processing, how many stayed or fled arrest, etc..
Whatever the considerations, I believe the higher ups making the decision to arrest the protesters like that is regretting it. Stupid decision, even if they were marching in the street.
While I do greatly appreciate this context, once she is on the sidewalk she is complying with the law. Assuming your context is true, they should have arrested people who were still blocking traffic in the road and refusing to move off the road. She is off the road, and should not have been arrested.
I agree that, if an arrest were to be made, doing it in a way that stops the potentially dangerous traffic obstruction while happening makes more sense. That said, once the marching is done, the (alleged) infraction still occurred and an arrest is still an available action.
None of what I said should be taken to suggest I support or oppose any given part of this entire situation. Just noting that the protest being over doesn't mean the cops can't do the arrest anymore.
"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. 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 march was on the street. There is 2 feet of snow and solid ice on the ground. I live here. This is not the march as there is only one person. This is a TV interview after the march was over. Independent research is important
Yo I got your back, people who don't live up north don't recognize the dangerous road conditions. Ice builds up naturally at intersections (not ICE, ice) especially with the literal freezing rain we've been getting, so walking in the street is a real quick way to punch your card if you get unlucky. Don't die protesting, people. We need you and sometimes vehicles can hit ice patches. You being right about the cause can absolutely not stop a car plowing into you. Protest smart, don't die
Counterpoint I've heard: the effectiveness of protests rests as much in their visibility as it does in their ability to disrupt; i.e., disruption is a key aspect for driving change. If enough people disrupt the status quo, it effects change. Your thoughts?
It's a really good point but if I were to disrupt traffic, I would do it when there's not a thick layer of frozen water on every road... like seriously that's how bad this winter is. We're oscillating to 40s and negatives right now. So I would prioritize your safety first. But I don't like disruption of traffic anyway because yeah, great excuse to miss work, but how quickly can we move everybody aside for an ambulance... its complex. Just main thing don't die, don't let others die
I mean I didn't believe the line of two feet of snow and ice but I'm throwing that one to Midwest exaggeration, like I caught a fish this big. But literally it's worse if there's less. That's black ice, slick stuff, idk. That's dangerous ice slippies out there right now. God as a Minnesotan it really feels good to talk about the weather and somehow politics as well, this is my element
The Midwest is currently experiencing really bad cold/warm snaps. Thaws and freezes. I'm not making any comment on the arrest itself, I can just understand why this is a safety issue for protesters, motorists, and Emergency Services. And broken cops... broken clocks are right twice a day
You're saying the police chose NOT to arrest her while she was actually doing the thing you say they told her not to do...but instead chose to arrest her IMMEDIATELY AFTER SPEAKING HER MIND. There's no march happening here. There's no people. They waited. This is a clear 1st amendment violation.
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."
Read what? The Amendment? I teach Government and Politics as well as US History, champ. You do not understand the First Amendment. Please send a refund check to your hometown for the tax money they wasted trying to educate you. Freedom of speech in the US deals SOLELY with the government trying to silence you for what you state. You being so confidently incorrect is what is wrong with people in 2026.
Look at other clips of the event. Yes the police drove next to them as they marched and did try to get them to move to the sidewalk. They said it 25 times. There was no bull rush. This was no ICE attack. There was a march. There was about 30-40 people. They let them march through the streets but yes it violated the law. She wasn't arrested for what she said, but for not filling our proper paperwork. She was out of jail within 3 hours
Your right to protest is protected. Your right to obstruct traffic is not. This has gotten people killed because emergency service vehicles can get blocked by these crowds. No one should die from a heart attack on the way to a hospital because people wanna be "heard".
From what I saw they kept to one side of the road and left room for cars. Driving on 1 lane roads kinda sucks but it's totally doable. Especially since it's technically a 4 lane road with a lane on each side used for parking
No, I'm saying instead of arresting her at the time they told her to do something and she SUPPOSEDLY refused they chose to wait until nobody was around and while she was freely speaking her mind.
NullSecc
What a shit hole country
militou91350
America is free country isnt it?
CryingandTampons
"land of the free, whoever told you that is your enemy"
clemdarkstarzero
Welcome to America 2026. Any views against the government are deemed hostile. I am delighted to have removed my citizenship to America just before Christmas. This is a crisis to the world, it’s not just Trump, look at his followers, this is now America, like 1930s Germany.
taez555
ArmathyAndTheUnfinishedBusiness2
The Gustappo strikes again. ACAB!!!!!!
jackiejackjackson
Holy shit, I remember seeing videos of Russians being taken off the street for speaking against Putin.
Becker37
Those compliant pigs deserve the same punishment trump should get. If you're not against the enemy you are an enemy
imd2101
https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1cjA3eTFqcWowcHBiMWNuZnRsMzJqNjY4dWlhYnFleDQ2ZzI3eTd1eiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/5xpViMy2UpMCk/200w.webp
trinxter
Meanwhile Trump pardons all the J6 thugs and endless rich criminals who are robbing us blind.
TerminalInterface
fuck it, I'd resist id fight back, I'm done with this Reich.
DrKonrad
Nothing to see here, just normal democratic free speech, no abusive authoritarian regime at all
PurifiedInTheWatersOfLakeMinnetonka
“Welcome to America.”
“STOP RESISTING!!! They’ve got a GUN!!! 💥💥💥”
*Paid administrative leave…
yingjun
shitty cop charges, intimidation of free speech.
Huor
This is why individual action is so much less effective than mass action.
ArchmageMelek
BusterWinkmeyer
That's what that hussey deserves taking up all that person sized space on the sidewalk with that much foot traffic. Not to mention holding up the camera operator blocking MORE space.......
imlaughin
Listen I’m a huge proponent of no kings and fuck maduro. However fuck anyone who oppresses free speech. I hope someone go their badge numbers and a good lawyer. I don’t agree with her message but I agree with her right to scream it from the mountain tops.
madjo
Land of the free*, home of the brave** (* terms and conditions apply, ** you're not allowed to oppose the regime)
jammer909
What continues to be is what we allow.
greedlights
This govt is the enemy of the people... soon everyone will be treated like the Palestinians
lemonofdoom2
Pigs: "We're the good guys!"
Lassannn
That's not a Goddamned roadway. That is very obviously a snow-covered sidewalk. She needs to retain the greediest lawyer on Earth and sue the motherfuck out of Grand Rapids.
cre8majic
the back story is that she was in the streets just before this, obstructing a roadway and they didn't get her them for 'safety concerns'
Khanamana324
Then cops should have arrested her then, not after the protest was already over. What a piss poor excuse.
cre8majic
indeed
usernametakenisthestoryofmylife
Wow. Just - wow.
AllDemApples
https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/politics/michigan-politics/is-street-protesting-prohibited-in-michigan-what-both-state-and-grand-rapids-law-says/69-685ea9dd-8cfd-4f60-a3ae-10738b719192
Follow the lawful orders of the police and not block roads. The sidewalk is a perfectly fine place to protest and you aren't breaking the law.
IMakeLotsOfReferencesAndRemakes
"Remember everyone the way to protest is by making as little inconvenience as possible, especially for those in power."
AllDemApples
If you don't want to get arrested, follow the law. It's pretty simple. She got arrested for breaking the law not protesting.
AllDemApples
She also isn't inconveniencing the people in power, she is inconveniencing every single regular person that tried to drive on that road. Protest on the sidewalk, follow the law. Its simple. Y'all are just dangerously stupid.
AllDemApples
Imgurians and hypocrisy, name a better combo. Screech about the administration breaking the law, perfectly fine with a protestor breaking the law. Y'all are ridiculous
IMakeLotsOfReferencesAndRemakes
Law =/= morality. Sometimes they coincide. Sometimes they don't. Some laws are quite obvious crimes like abducting people. Other crimes like protesting in the streets that our taxes pay for is clearly there mostly to stymie dissent. If you cannot see that difference you really have no business in this conversation.
kojenk
They didnt arrest her during that though. This was on the sidewalk after the protest and they purposefully did it during the interview. Gfy bootlicker. Protests should incur more than inconvenience.
d14z3p4m
if you don`t want to get arrested, just be the president. its pretty simple.
TalkingSnake
This is America.
blfpd
Oh I thought it was Muskovia
PullShporttel
KarateCanine
https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1cGthZHc5cGp1cTVkbnc2cXhwaTI2djFtYm11bmM4bGVuZGxvb3RncyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/443jI3kpgOKfAfKxqo/200w.webp
DrNicholasRivierA
"Obstructing a roadway". Alone. On a sidewalk.
Is this the "America" you MAGA's voted for? Yeah, probably- shut all women and dissention up.
KleptoKea
This is what the American People allow America to be.
Studuggly33
It doesn't need to be. Need more people like her.
MayorOfCanada
This is Trumpmerica https://www.reddit.com/r/TikTokCringe/s/18pyrZMpMt
YouRadicalizedMe
Fucking rat hole
drrak
What a shit hole.
TrilithonStone
This is Trump's America.
gofortheeyesboo0
They took notes from Nazi Germany.
senyu
https://imgur.com/BgDQPGf.mp4
pritolus
And Nazi Germany took notes from ... The USA
harmsebamse
Land of the free.
BullittGT
How about you read the full fucking story first, reaction king....
Thatonebicycledude
Here’s the “whole story” that we know so far for you king: https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/01/womans-mid-interview-arrest-at-grand-rapids-protest-sparks-national-attention.html. Please tell me what about these actions would justify an arrest?
HelloCaspar
What about "the full fucking story" makes this look any better?
ArturoChinaco
The entire story. Usually having the complete story is a much better foundation when making judgements.
HelloCaspar
Nah
HashMaster9k
Yeah, sounds like propaganda to me.
ArturoChinaco
"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. 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
ArturoChinaco
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."
n0n53n53
So they arrest her for protesting in a "First Amendment Free Zone" Yeah that looks SOOO MUCH better now. Thanks
ArturoChinaco
You are so ignorant:
"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. 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..
ArturoChinaco
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."
somerandomusernamebecauseididntlikemyoldone
Arrested for taking part in a march on the street and not following multiple instructions to leave the street. She asked if she could finish the interview, we can clearly see their response to that. https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/organizer-speaks-out-after-arrest/69-76af6db0-a1e8-4ece-80ac-0b517e1695f9
d14z3p4m
where is the response to that?
kojenk
convenient protests done with permission are not protests. You just explained being arrested for protesting with a lot of extra steps. Too much is at stake for pussy footing around the rules of fascists and their enforcers.
IMakeLotsOfReferencesAndRemakes
They targeted her. If it was about the street the arrest should have happened to far more people and DURING the protest. This was their flimsy justification for the arrest but the intent is crystal clear. They could have waited for the cameras to shut off but the point was to deter people from speaking up. If we are lucky this backfires and galvanizes people. But it won't do that with people making apologist comments like this kneecapping what is a clear bullshit arrest.
somerandomusernamebecauseididntlikemyoldone
I made the comment because when I got to the post there was someone else claiming it was because she had illegally left her car blocking the road. I'd rather there be actual accurate information available so we all know what the police comment was and what her comments were. Clearly the intent is political, especially if you read the article.
charlCartoonCreator
I don't see the comment as apologist. It provided missing information of what she was arrested for, something I was personally curious about because that info was missing from the title. They even provided a link to a local abc station as their source. Nowhere did they say it was a justifiable arrest
Ryyyyyyyan
So arrested for protesting.
somerandomusernamebecauseididntlikemyoldone
Definitely and that's nothing new or particular to this regime, though back in the day they would be pulling you aside as you were protesting/being a nuisance, rather than once you were dispersed. But that also started happening when they started declaring some protests as 'riots' or 'mobs' and made use of surveillance cameras to then follow up with people later. It's clear what their intentions were here.
Iftheyredeadtheyrejusthookers
yes, thats one of the results of peaceful protest. MLK Jr. used such tactics in Birmingham to purposefully get in front of a judge to challenge unjust laws. Like its kind of the point, "We're going to do something illegal, peacefully, to get your attention."
Ultratoxic
Yeah that's still fascist behavior and violates their 1st amendment rights. If you still think we have rights.
mjperk
Still ACAB.
RepostStatisdicks
Could've arrested her during the interview but yeah, ACAB even those who got fired for reporting bad cops https://media1.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1YjNxc2Fqb2k2anBodXpuMmJtaWxxcGdkY29jM2E4ZDkxYm0yNGszbyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/jPAdK8Nfzzwt2/200w.webp
necessity
Always and forever.
youreathing
I think it STILL sucks but this is important context. This is also such a flimsy excuse for an arrest. Hopefully they'll cite/release her.
icannotthinkofanyrationalname
Hopefully a lawyer will win a unlawful arrest case against the city.
sneakypoo
Is this that country that speak of being the land of the free? The one that has free speech and stuff? Cool.
eventide215
Please go educate yourself on what "free speech" actually means and what it's used for. It does not mean you get to say whatever you damn well please and do whatever you want wherever you want without repercussions.
THISISYELLING
No one stated otherwise. What it DOES stand for is that you can say what you want--within reason--and the government cannot stop you. The first amendment protects you SPECIFICALLY from government consequences, not social ones. Please follow the advice of your first sentence. What exactly was stated there that is not protected by the first amendment, champ?
HelloCaspar
dalaiyoda
"America is awesome" was always a lie.
SergeyPrkl
land of the free. Yes, that have always been a joke here. It doesn't differ from Soviet Union. Or somewhat, soviets had general healthcare and excellent schooling system. Biased, but good.
Khanamana324
The US is far worse than the Soviet Union.
GussDeBlod
they were free to arrest her!
tzahtman
People misheard the saying. Very common problem. It is 'land of the fee, home of the Atlanta Braves".
n0n53n53
"Welcome to the United Snakes
Land of the thief, home of the slave
Grand imperial guard where the dollar is sacred and power is God"
Brother Ali - Uncle Sam Goddamn
xiaodown
"The finger to the land of the chains
What? The 'land of the free'?
Whoever told you that is your enemy
Now something must be done
About vengeance, a badge, and a gun" - Rage Against the Machine
Whirlednews
Land of the Free*
*Terms and conditions apply
Goldensands
Land of the asinine, home of the bigoted. A culture that worships wealth, fame, stupidity and itself. All the empty headed rhetoric in the world won't change what ameica and always has been.
TheYodajen
She was allowed to hold her march and speak freely to the media. They arrested her afterward for violating the local ordinance that you can't march in the street without filing paperwork
Goldensands
Here this is very specifically for you
darkoshen
It's been said that she was always on the sidewalk, not in the street. I mean, it looks like that in the video.
InsertUnimaginativeUsernameHere
TIL standing on the sidewalk counts as marching in the street.
TheYodajen
As I explained....he macxh was before this. The news crew had her go to the sidewalk for the interview. This was after the march was over. I really wish this was something because I am so tired of 2026 already, but it's my home city too. Her message got out and became international/national news. It was a win/win for the protest
SpeedLimit420x69
stupidity is our only saving grace.
TheYodajen
Stupidity gor us into this. Intelligent people need to fo things intelligently
n0n53n53
you do not have ze proper paperz for ze first amendment
neo154
LooooooL
BrandiJuh
If you need permission to protest, you don't have the right to protest.
Roderack
This.
yamamasyamaha
Eeeehhh not really. Protesting by shutting down a highway is illegal
Protesting by burning down buildings is illegal
It’s not that she protested, it’s how.
madelinewuntch
I mean I'm protesting right now just fine on my couch, but should I be annoyed if I had to get your permission to be able to protest on your couch?
datphone777365
Lmao, what a shit take.
madelinewuntch
That was actually the point, to make it equally silly as the comment I responded to. Everyone can protest, but of course you need special permission to do something that normally breaks the law while protesting. Saying you don't have the right to protest because you need permission to do some things while protesting is just silly to me.
BullittGT
In the middle of the street during rush hour.... I mean, fuck... nevermind.
n0n53n53
protesting conveniently is not protesting
Whirlednews
I agree, would love to see how the people downvoting you would behave if there had been an emergency and crews couldn’t get to the scene fast enough because the protesters were blocking the road.
Catheren
I can't downplay that, but: I'd really like to see more disturbances in the short term so we can get, ya know, a society that works in ACTUALLY preventing tens if not hundreds of thousands of death to: unaffordable medical care, homelessness, actual starvation, rampant gun violence- we spend SO much money on BLOWING PEOPLE UP while 60% of us can't afford a basic medical bill or a car repair- a lot of us are struggling to make rent.
n0n53n53
what if something that didn't happen happened ... then what? Checkmate librulz
TheYodajen
That isnt the story at all. The organized march was through the streets during rush hour in a major metropolitan area filled with ice and snow. The police drove next to them the whole march telling them 25 times they needed to be on the sidewalk. The police waited for her to get through with her interview and then arrested her because the local ordinance says to march in the street you have to fill out paperwork fue to public safety concerns. They did not stop her from speaking at all
RunningInSpaces
Will they be addressing all the illegal free Palestine priest organizers?
Strategicgnomer
Sooooo..... Freedom of speech and protest, unless it's inconvenient. Got it. You guys are nailing it with your rights there bud.
n0n53n53
Oh no., the police told them they need to protest somewhere else and they didn't listen? We should always listen to the police when exercising 1st amendment rights
youreathing
This. It's a catch/release offense at best. This was done to send a message. Still fucking ridiculous though.
IHateApostrophes
Does it even matter? What kinda country prides itself on "right to free speech, you can even protest the government. No not like that. We got ya on a technicality". The president is a child rapist and no cops have the guts to arrest him for it.
ahb1020306
Lick the boot harder. Good boy.
velcrosnake
So now explaining the full story of what happened is boot licking? Okay...
ablamboo2
Not so much explaining than justifying
AShartInTheWind
If a protest requires state approval, it's not a protest, it's a parade.
d14z3p4m
nobody believes you tho
Taokan22
That is good context, and thank you for providing it. Follow up question: which should get you arrested: killing 40 people and capturing the head of state of another country, or marching in the street complaining about the former?
bubblesuit24601
The whole idea that protests need to be contained to areas that won't affect anything is deeply fucked when you think about it and is probably a decent contributing factor to protests not actually leading to change in the last few decades.
Shmeggitmutt2
It's called civil disobedience.
Cosmicfisherman
Are they going to arrest Trump next? Why does he get waved on?
SteveTheEgg
Last time i checked the right to peacefully assemble didn't only extend to sidewalks.
Syiss
So the police drove next to the illegal march the entire time, repeatedly telling them to get off the road, rather than stopping the illegal march and arresting everyone participating. Then after the march was over and this lady is on the sidewalk where she's supposed to be, they come over to arrest her right after she gives a tv interview? Make this make sense.
encrypteddecryption
It appears so.
There are a number of potential factors involved in the timing of the arrest-- e.g., size of the crowd (I saw footage yesterday, but could only say it looked like more than 10, less than 100), number of available officers and units, order of processing, how many stayed or fled arrest, etc..
Whatever the considerations, I believe the higher ups making the decision to arrest the protesters like that is regretting it. Stupid decision, even if they were marching in the street.
YummyBubb1es
So tl:Dr: the police hate free speech.
Got it.
They invented a problem out of a non problem.
SuspiciousCactus
While I do greatly appreciate this context, once she is on the sidewalk she is complying with the law. Assuming your context is true, they should have arrested people who were still blocking traffic in the road and refusing to move off the road. She is off the road, and should not have been arrested.
MajorasTerribleFate
I agree that, if an arrest were to be made, doing it in a way that stops the potentially dangerous traffic obstruction while happening makes more sense. That said, once the marching is done, the (alleged) infraction still occurred and an arrest is still an available action.
None of what I said should be taken to suggest I support or oppose any given part of this entire situation. Just noting that the protest being over doesn't mean the cops can't do the arrest anymore.
HarbingerOfThis
I don't see rush hour or public danger in this clip. Please explain more.
ArturoChinaco
"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. 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
TheYodajen
The march was on the street. There is 2 feet of snow and solid ice on the ground. I live here. This is not the march as there is only one person. This is a TV interview after the march was over. Independent research is important
ImAWeirdMom
There's not 2 feet of snow on the ground (I live near here) please don't spread misinformation.
GravyEducation
Yo I got your back, people who don't live up north don't recognize the dangerous road conditions. Ice builds up naturally at intersections (not ICE, ice) especially with the literal freezing rain we've been getting, so walking in the street is a real quick way to punch your card if you get unlucky. Don't die protesting, people. We need you and sometimes vehicles can hit ice patches. You being right about the cause can absolutely not stop a car plowing into you. Protest smart, don't die
jamiedBreaker
Counterpoint I've heard: the effectiveness of protests rests as much in their visibility as it does in their ability to disrupt; i.e., disruption is a key aspect for driving change. If enough people disrupt the status quo, it effects change. Your thoughts?
GravyEducation
It's a really good point but if I were to disrupt traffic, I would do it when there's not a thick layer of frozen water on every road... like seriously that's how bad this winter is. We're oscillating to 40s and negatives right now. So I would prioritize your safety first. But I don't like disruption of traffic anyway because yeah, great excuse to miss work, but how quickly can we move everybody aside for an ambulance... its complex. Just main thing don't die, don't let others die
HarbingerOfThis
I get the feeling that these were just normal wintery road conditions, not especially dangerous road conditions. Could be wrong, never been there.
GravyEducation
I mean I didn't believe the line of two feet of snow and ice but I'm throwing that one to Midwest exaggeration, like I caught a fish this big. But literally it's worse if there's less. That's black ice, slick stuff, idk. That's dangerous ice slippies out there right now. God as a Minnesotan it really feels good to talk about the weather and somehow politics as well, this is my element
GravyEducation
The Midwest is currently experiencing really bad cold/warm snaps. Thaws and freezes. I'm not making any comment on the arrest itself, I can just understand why this is a safety issue for protesters, motorists, and Emergency Services. And broken cops... broken clocks are right twice a day
samuelthastings5
Yeah but a clock that's set 4 hours ahead will never be correct
GravyEducation
Time zones bro *passes my pipe*
Glitterfartjuice
You're making the excuses for the fascists violating our rights.
fractalsphere
You're saying the police chose NOT to arrest her while she was actually doing the thing you say they told her not to do...but instead chose to arrest her IMMEDIATELY AFTER SPEAKING HER MIND. There's no march happening here. There's no people. They waited. This is a clear 1st amendment violation.
ArturoChinaco
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."
Niagaran
They waited until they could arrest her on camera as an intimidation tactic for others.
Lysergian
This, 100%
eventide215
Please go educate yourself on this story and what the amendments actually are and say. Unless your intent was to look like an idiot?
THISISYELLING
In the case of "free speech", the amendment prevents the government from silencing you. That is all. Read the fucking amendment.
eventide215
You clearly didn't read it. Or read what happened here. So I'll repeat myself. Please go educate yourself.
THISISYELLING
Read what? The Amendment? I teach Government and Politics as well as US History, champ. You do not understand the First Amendment. Please send a refund check to your hometown for the tax money they wasted trying to educate you. Freedom of speech in the US deals SOLELY with the government trying to silence you for what you state. You being so confidently incorrect is what is wrong with people in 2026.
TheYodajen
Look at other clips of the event. Yes the police drove next to them as they marched and did try to get them to move to the sidewalk. They said it 25 times. There was no bull rush. This was no ICE attack. There was a march. There was about 30-40 people. They let them march through the streets but yes it violated the law. She wasn't arrested for what she said, but for not filling our proper paperwork. She was out of jail within 3 hours
BeastofKnowledge
bamblebimble
From what I saw they kept to one side of the road and left room for cars. Driving on 1 lane roads kinda sucks but it's totally doable. Especially since it's technically a 4 lane road with a lane on each side used for parking
accountforimgur
Your saying police can't arrest you for crimes committed in the past?
ChiliBeef
*You're
ThatGuyInTheMountains
https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1YXY4Z2p5enRyNzk0N2g1OGpmOGpkYnJ2ZHc0Zjk4ZzMxOXIwbjkwMiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/Ke4eKC7hYSU1O/200w.webp
fractalsphere
No, I'm saying instead of arresting her at the time they told her to do something and she SUPPOSEDLY refused they chose to wait until nobody was around and while she was freely speaking her mind.
snailbait
They chose to wait for no one to be around, but arrested her during a live broadcast?
Markuspsyches
I assume they meant less other protesters around that might try to stop them.