https://www.firstcoastnews.com/arti...river/77-cbf75cc0-f0c5-45e0-a489-5b5713b90c4c
A protester at a pro-Palenstine rally in Memorial Park was arrested on robbery charges Sunday afternoon after he stole a megaphone from a woman counter-protesting and smacked her in the face, before improperly displaying a gun, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
At approximately 5 p.m. Sunday, the man identified as Shadi Abusammour got into a dispute with a counter-protester who was using a megaphone, according to the arrest report.
Police said during the dispute, Abusammour, 30, stole the woman's megaphone and smacked her in the face with it before throwing it into the river.
After the incident, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement officer who was already on scene, saw the man reach near his waist and display a gun. The officer held Abusammour at gunpoint before he was taken into police custody and the protest continued.
JSO Sergeant Karen Dukes said the dispute was "heated" and "passionate," adding that the officer who was on the scene, was able to stop the incident from "spiraling out of control."
Sgt. Dukes said Abusammour would face charges of robbery by sudden snatching while armed. Abusammour's arrest report lists "armed possession of a controlled substance" for possessing marijuana and "improper exhibition of firearm or dangerous weapon" as additional charges he's facing.
Credit: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
Shadi Abusammour, 30, was arrested after police say he struck a counter-protester in the face with her megaphone at a rally in Memorial Park Sunday.
Police said all parties involved were detained for questioning. Members of JSO's Intelligence Unit are assisting with the investigation.
Sgt. Dukes said despite JSO supporting everyone's right to freedom of speech, protesters must do so without breaking any laws.
"We want protesters and counter-protesters to be able to peaceably speak their mind," said Sgt. Dukes. "The issue is when-- you can't break laws. When people become injured and property is broken that's where the line is drawn."
The investigation remains ongoing.
A protester at a pro-Palenstine rally in Memorial Park was arrested on robbery charges Sunday afternoon after he stole a megaphone from a woman counter-protesting and smacked her in the face, before improperly displaying a gun, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
At approximately 5 p.m. Sunday, the man identified as Shadi Abusammour got into a dispute with a counter-protester who was using a megaphone, according to the arrest report.
Police said during the dispute, Abusammour, 30, stole the woman's megaphone and smacked her in the face with it before throwing it into the river.
After the incident, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement officer who was already on scene, saw the man reach near his waist and display a gun. The officer held Abusammour at gunpoint before he was taken into police custody and the protest continued.
JSO Sergeant Karen Dukes said the dispute was "heated" and "passionate," adding that the officer who was on the scene, was able to stop the incident from "spiraling out of control."
Sgt. Dukes said Abusammour would face charges of robbery by sudden snatching while armed. Abusammour's arrest report lists "armed possession of a controlled substance" for possessing marijuana and "improper exhibition of firearm or dangerous weapon" as additional charges he's facing.
Credit: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
Shadi Abusammour, 30, was arrested after police say he struck a counter-protester in the face with her megaphone at a rally in Memorial Park Sunday.
Police said all parties involved were detained for questioning. Members of JSO's Intelligence Unit are assisting with the investigation.
Sgt. Dukes said despite JSO supporting everyone's right to freedom of speech, protesters must do so without breaking any laws.
"We want protesters and counter-protesters to be able to peaceably speak their mind," said Sgt. Dukes. "The issue is when-- you can't break laws. When people become injured and property is broken that's where the line is drawn."
The investigation remains ongoing.
