March 6, 2023: Tampa 5 Arrested During DeSantis Protest

As reported by Sierra Lyons in the Teen Vogue article The Tampa Five: Students, Staffer Face Charges After Protests Against DeSantis Administration:

During a March rally on the University of South Florida’s campus, three members of the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (TBSDS) and a university staff member involved with the organization were arrested by campus police during a protest against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In May, a fifth individual turned herself in after being issued a warrant by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department and is now facing similar charges. Now known in total as the “Tampa Five,” Chrisley Carpio (31), Gia Davila (22), Laura Rodriguez (23), Lauren Pineiro (23), and Jeanie Kida (26) could each be facing between 6 and 11 years in prison if convicted of felony charges of battery on a law enforcement officer. . . .

The protesters maintain they were simply expressing their discontent with the DeSantis administration’s far-right agenda. In recent months, the governor, also a 2024 presidential candidate, and his administration have passed a flood of legislation that affects young Floridians. The state has banned classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades; defunded diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at Florida public colleges; approved the concealed carry of weapons without a permit;and much more. Continue reading.