For three weeks, protestors have joined together in cities across the U.S. rallying for police reform over the death of George Floyd. But in that time that people have sought change and justice, many have found themselves faced with circumstances they weren’t prepared to deal with.
Three Individuals in Clearwater Arrested During George Floyd Protest
This past Saturday, several individuals came together to protest at East Scott Street and North Tampa Street, reported Patch.com. The protests, which police say turned violent, resulted in three individuals being arrested. Police Chief Brian Dugan says that Tampa police officers had been providing traffic control for a march just after 5:00 p.m. As protestors made their way through downtown and headed toward the Interstate 4/Interstate 275 on-ramp, officers on bicycles attempted to get ahead of the crowd.
Police say it was during this time that a 17-year-old girl allegedly attempted to strike an officer by thrusting a metal tip of an umbrella toward his face. Officers also accused the teen of attempting to strike another officer moments later. Another individual, 22-year-old Emadi Okwuosa, was accused of using a bullhorn to incite the group into disrupting the flow of traffic on the interstate. Stephanie Sanchez, 21, allegedly also tried to strike officers.
As officers were in the process of arresting the three individuals, the crowd grew angry and began approaching the police, according to Patch.com. As protestors continued to approach officers after being warned to back up, police used a “deterrent spray to stop the crowd from advancing.” Officers continued with the arrests and charged the teen as well as Sanchez with two counts each of assault on a law enforcement officer. Okwuosa was charged with inciting a riot.
After the protest, Dugan released a statement saying that “While his department respects the right to protest, we will not accept any person who attempts to use the protest as an opportunity to engage in criminal activity.”
Were you or someone you know charged with a crime in or near Largo, FL while exercising your right to protest?
If so, the Largo, FL criminal defense lawyers at Trevena, Pontrello & Associates may be able to challenge those charges and potentially get them reduced or thrown out. Although you were charged with a criminal offense, you haven’t been convicted which means you are not yet considered guilty of committing the crime. However, if you fail to retain an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can defend you in court, you put yourself at a greater risk of being convicted. Therefore, if you want to stand a chance at beating your charges, you are going to want to have a Largo, FL defense attorney representing you for the duration of your case.
With its office based in Largo Florida, Trevena Pontrello & Associates primarily practices in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco County, and throughout the state of Florida.
Trevena, Pontrello & Associates is located at:
801 W Bay Drive, Suite 509
Largo, FL 33770
Phone: 727-581-5813
Website: www.trevenapontrellolaw.com
