A Grand Rapids woman who helped organize a downtown protest against U.S. military action in Venezuela was arrested shortly after giving an on-camera interview, an incident that was captured and reported by WZZM 13.
Jessica Plichta, an organizer with Grand Rapids Opponents of War and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a street march protesting the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The protest took place in downtown Grand Rapids, with demonstrators gathering near Rosa Parks Circle before marching through city streets while chanting anti-war slogans and waving Venezuelan flags.
According to police, Plichta was arrested for obstructing a roadway and failure to obey a lawful command from a police officer. Grand Rapids Police said officers made more than two dozen announcements over a PA system instructing demonstrators to leave the roadway and move onto sidewalks. Police allege the group refused and continued blocking intersections, prompting arrests after consultation with supervisors.
Plichta disputes the escalation, saying she was arrested immediately after completing an interview with WZZM 13, which recorded the arrest on video. She claims officers detained her, transported her to a secondary location, conducted a search, and later booked her at the Kent County Jail, where she was held for several hours before release.
City officials cited local ordinances that prohibit pedestrians from standing or marching in the traveled portion of roadways. While those violations are civil infractions, police stated that failure to obey a lawful command qualifies as a disorderly conduct offense, punishable by up to $500 in fines, 90 days in jail, or both.
Plichta said the arrest followed a peaceful protest opposing U.S. military action and the detention of Maduro, whom she described as a democratically elected leader. She also claimed she had recently traveled to Venezuela and attended an international political summit there.
The Grand Rapids Police Department said the arrest was lawful and based on repeated refusals to comply with orders to clear the roadway. Plichta has not yet been formally charged and says she will contest the arrest.
New Media Detroit is linking to WZZM13.com, which first reported the incident and published the arrest video.
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