ORLANDO, Fla. — At least one person was arrested Friday during demonstrations outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Orlando, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The protest took place outside the ICE office on Delegates Drive and lasted several hours, running from noon until 4 p.m. Demonstrators gathered to call for accountability and changes to federal immigration policies. For most of the afternoon, the protest remained peaceful, with participants waving signs, chanting and sharing personal stories.
Near the end of the demonstration, sheriff’s deputies arrested a woman who was part of the protest.
According to the sheriff’s office, the woman was arrested after deputies say she approached a federal agent who was inside a vehicle and struck the vehicle.
In a statement, Sheriff John Mina emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations while condemning violence or property damage.
“The right of all people to peacefully assemble or protest is fundamental,” Mina said in part. “What is not protected, however, is the destruction of property or violence against any member of our community.”
Organizers of the protest say they plan to continue holding demonstrations and calling for changes to federal immigration policies.
The sheriff’s office has not released additional details about the arrest.