[Rajoo]

They sang, stayed put and got arrested in ‘the freest state’

TALLAHASSEE — They call themselves the “Florida 14.”

Fourteen people were arrested Wednesday and charged with trespassing. Their crime: Peacefully protesting outside Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.

This was a gross overreaction by law enforcement to an animated group of young people with healthy lungs who sang civil rights songs and voiced frustration over the frightening direction this state is taking.

They spoke for millions. For that, they were herded onto a bus, booked, charged with misdemeanors and barred from the Capitol for a year.

Yet for similar infractions, no one got arrested before. So much for First Amendment in the Free State of Florida.

Ten years ago, a similar group from the Dream Defenders group occupied the Capitol for 31 straight days after the shooting death of Trayvon Martin and his killer’s acquittal. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement wisely used restraint. Nobody was arrested.

In 2000, two Black legislators, Kendrick Meek and Tony Hill, occupied the lieutenant governor’s office overnight and refused to leave until they met with Gov. Jeb Bush over his affirmative action policies. A publicity stunt? Sure, but they had a purpose. I was there. Nobody was arrested.

I think DeSantis is feeling the heat.

https://news.yahoo.com/sang-stayed-p...140000648.html