TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — More than 200 people gathered in downtown Tampa, Florida, on Monday to protest immigration enforcement in Los Angeles and other areas of the country.
The protest was called by several groups, although people who appeared to be leaders of the protests would not identify who they were.
“Well, we’re not naming organizations,” said a woman who would only identify herself as “Dandelion.”
She carried a bullhorn and screamed in the streets, saying she was there to support the protestors in LA.
“I think it is a terrible situation. I think that it is unnecessary, and I think that if people are here in our country, then they are welcome,” Dandelion said.
Carolyn Mcleod said it was the first protest she’d ever attended.
“I am a daughter and granddaughter of immigrants, but I was lucky enough to be born in the United States,” Mcleod said.
She said she came out to voice her opinion and to stand with protestors in LA.
“By being silent, I think we are being complicit to the injustices,” Mcleod said.
There were other voices at the downtown rally.
Adam Francisco came wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat.
“I’m here to support President Donald Trump. You know, we the people voted for the mass deportation of (those) that have entered our country illegally,” Francisco said.
Others came carrying flags in support of Trump.
Casey Carden said he is a disabled military veteran who supports free speech, but wanted to make sure the violence going on in California was not repeated in Tampa.
“I fought for this. I want them to have that right. But at the same time, your verbal right and your right to pool up like this, that’s one thing. But when you start grabbing bricks, rocks, Molotov cocktails and start trying to hurt civilians and peace officers, that’s when it gets personal,” Carden said.
Protesters repeatedly entered a nearby street at a red light, and left when the light turned green, standing in front of cars but allowing them to pass when the light turned.
Eventually, the two groups did more than scream obscenities. Shoving started, and a specially trained unit of Tampa police officers and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies stepped in to intervene.
The officers and deputies used bikes to stand between the two groups, preventing the shoving from escalating into an all-out fight.
Some protesters said they would be back for more during the summer.
