Protesters gathered outside a St. Pete hotel where the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was holding a hiring event for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — At least two people were arrested Wednesday during a second day of protests outside a St. Petersburg hotel hosting a federal immigration recruitment event, prompting a heightened law enforcement presence and several tense moments.
The demonstrations took place outside the Hilton at Carillon Park, where the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was holding a two-day hiring event for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents.
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, Thanecha Anderson, 38, was arrested at the protest and charged with trespass on property other than structure or conveyance (actual communication), as well as possession of marijuana.
An arrest affidavit says Anderson arrived at the Hilton’s parking lot when a security guard at the entrance told her she was not allowed to park there. She then reportedly “disregarded the order” and continued driving into the lot, parked in a space and left her car.
Officers said they saw the exchange and gave her multiple orders to go back to her car and leave the premises, but she refused. According to the affidavit, she was in possession of a “THC/marijuana vape device.” A swab of the mouthpiece was taken and reportedly used for field testing.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office told 10 Tampa Bay News Nicholas Molin was also arrested for trespassing and resisting without violence. Details into the arrest were not immediately available.
Protesters say they oppose the agency’s immigration enforcement policies and tactics and remain angry over the recent death of a Minnesota woman during an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The crowd on Wednesday was smaller and quieter than the previous day after deputies ordered demonstrators to stop using megaphones and amplified sound, citing complaints from hotel guests. Protesters said they were not deterred.
“We also have a loud voice,” demonstrator Michael Ann DiMaio said.
Deputies also responded to what witnesses described as a dangerous incident involving a driver who revved his engine and caused his car to fishtail near protesters standing along the street.
No one was injured. A deputy stopped the driver and issued a warning.
“They’re revving their engines trying to intimidate,” demonstrator Tricia Morrissey said. She later added that the behavior was “dangerous” and something she has seen before at protests. “Same old big blow-hard behavior,” she said.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said deputies repeatedly warned demonstrators not to step onto hotel property, which is private.
“They were told where they could be. All of this is private property,” Gualtieri said. He added that as long as demonstrators did not cross that line, “we’re good.”
Two protesters were arrested after, according to the sheriff’s office, they ignored multiple warnings. St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway emphasized the importance of keeping demonstrations peaceful.
“If you’re gonna come out here and do peaceful demonstration, you’ve got to be right there,” Holloway said. “If you’re gonna come out here and do crazy stuff like that, you’re either going to get cited or go to jail.”
Around 1 p.m., the hotel said the recruitment event had ended and asked the sheriff’s office to clear the remaining demonstrators, which deputies did without further incident.
Protesters said they hoped their two-day presence made an impact.
“Of course, we hope that somebody will have seen this and just have a change of heart and want to get involved,” Jeannie Landeros Martinez said.
When asked about the demonstrations, the Department of Homeland Security said it is taking measures to uphold the rule of law and protect public safety and its officers.