8 pro-Palestinian activists arrested after brawl in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. – Eight pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested in Orlando on Saturday after one of them attacked an Orlando police officer and a person with opposing views “in a physically threatening manner,” police said in a news release.

The incident reportedly began after a peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstration at Lake Eola attended by 20 people. After the demonstration, officers responded to a commotion near a Publix on East Central Boulevard around 5:30 p.m., according to police.

When officers arrived, they found some protesters arguing with a person “of a different opinion.” When police attempted to separate the two, one of the protesters reportedly lunged at an Orlando police officer and the person the group was arguing with “in a physically threatening manner.”

This protester was arrested for disturbing the peace, according to OPD. The situation reportedly escalated when other protesters attempted to intervene, leading to more arrests.

The eight protesters face several charges, including disturbing the peace, assaulting a police officer and resisting state authority, the OPD said.

“The Orlando Police Department is committed to the safety of all who peacefully assemble,” officials said in the press release. “Our priority is to protect the well-being of our residents, visitors and businesses.”

The arrests have sparked a response from Central Florida Queers for Palestine. In a press release, the group invited community members to gather at the Orange County Jail to show their support for the activists.

“We believe in the right to protest and peacefully advocate for justice. Today's arrests are a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who advocate for human rights,” a spokesperson for Central Florida Queers for Palestine said in the press release. “We urge the community to rally in support of the eight individuals arrested and to show solidarity with the victims of violence in the region.”