TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Five protestors were arrested Thursday after Tampa police said they began blocking traffic near MacDill Air Force Base.

The protest, organized by Veterans for Peace, began around 9 a.m., with military veterans and others gathering outside the base to speak out against U.S. weapons and munitions shipments to Israel.

“Our billions of our money as workers, as taxpayers is being spent to kill civilians,” one person at the protest, Ramone Pereira, told News Channel 8. “And as such, a number of veterans gathered here today to speak up to showcase the same bravery they did when they stood up for our country to protect our rights.”

About 30 minutes into the protest, Tampa police said they received reports of people blocking traffic in the southbound lanes of South Dale Mabry Highway and West Marcum Street, near an entrance to the base.

Body camera video provided by the Tampa Police Department showed protestors standing in the road with signs reading, “Free Palestine” and “Veterans against genocide.”

Officers asked protestors to share their message from the grass median or sidewalks and issued multiple warnings that arrests would follow if they remained in the roadway, according to the police department.

An officer could be heard in the body camera video saying, “We want you to be able to send your message, OK? But if you do it in the road, you’re going to force our hand to arrest you.”

Someone yelled out,” Please stop talking to the cops,” as officers spoke with the group.

Police said there were five people who did not comply with their commands. Video showed a struggle ensuing as officers tried to handcuff one of the women.

“Let her go. Why are you arresting her?” one protestor shouted. Others yelled “shame” as officers continued trying to get the woman in handcuffs.

The struggle lasted around three minutes before officers were able to take the woman into custody. Protestors broke into a chant of “stop bombing babies” as police walked the woman to a patrol car.

Another protestor who was arrested could be heard on video telling officers, “I really do understand that this is your job, and I don’t blame you.”

Authorities said the following people were arrested on various charges:

Marialana Kinter, 26:
Three Misdemeanors — One Count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence, One Count of Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and One Count of Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official

Taylor Llamas, 30:
Three Misdemeanors — One Count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence, One Count of Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and One Count of Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official

Joy Metzler, 24:
Three Misdemeanors — One Count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence, One Count of Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and One Count of Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official

Pamela Meyers, 71:
Three Misdemeanors — One Count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence, One Count of Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and One Count of Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official

Sierra Sizemore, 22:
Three Misdemeanors — One Count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence, One Count of Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and One Count of Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official

The Tampa Police Department provided the following statement in a news release regarding the arrests:

“As a reminder, the Tampa Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone in our city. We recognize that individuals may choose to peacefully express their First Amendment rights and understand some members of the community may wish to do so through demonstrations. 

Our goal is to work together to ensure these events are safe, legal, and respect the rights of all. 

We ask anyone who plans to participate in a demonstration to do so in a safe and responsible manner. 

The Tampa Police Department will continue its efforts to uphold the safety of everyone in the City of Tampa, fostering an environment where everyone can be heard and feel safe, equally.”

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Five protestors were arrested Thursday after Tampa police said they began blocking traffic near MacDill Air Force Base.

The protest, organized by Veterans for Peace, began around 9 a.m., with military veterans and others gathering outside the base to speak out against U.S. weapons and munitions shipments to Israel.

“Our billions of our money as workers, as taxpayers is being spent to kill civilians,” one person at the protest, Ramone Pereira, told News Channel 8. “And as such, a number of veterans gathered here today to speak up to showcase the same bravery they did when they stood up for our country to protect our rights.”

About 30 minutes into the protest, Tampa police said they received reports of people blocking traffic in the southbound lanes of South Dale Mabry Highway and West Marcum Street, near an entrance to the base.

Body camera video provided by the Tampa Police Department showed protestors standing in the road with signs reading, “Free Palestine” and “Veterans against genocide.”

Officers asked protestors to share their message from the grass median or sidewalks and issued multiple warnings that arrests would follow if they remained in the roadway, according to the police department.

An officer could be heard in the body camera video saying, “We want you to be able to send your message, OK? But if you do it in the road, you’re going to force our hand to arrest you.”

Someone yelled out,” Please stop talking to the cops,” as officers spoke with the group.

Police said there were five people who did not comply with their commands. Video showed a struggle ensuing as officers tried to handcuff one of the women.

“Let her go. Why are you arresting her?” one protestor shouted. Others yelled “shame” as officers continued trying to get the woman in handcuffs.

The struggle lasted around three minutes before officers were able to take the woman into custody. Protestors broke into a chant of “stop bombing babies” as police walked the woman to a patrol car.

Another protestor who was arrested could be heard on video telling officers, “I really do understand that this is your job, and I don’t blame you.”

Authorities said the following people were arrested on various charges:

Marialana Kinter, 26:
Three Misdemeanors — One Count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence, One Count of Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and One Count of Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official

Taylor Llamas, 30:
Three Misdemeanors — One Count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence, One Count of Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and One Count of Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official

Joy Metzler, 24:
Three Misdemeanors — One Count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence, One Count of Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and One Count of Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official

Pamela Meyers, 71:
Three Misdemeanors — One Count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence, One Count of Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and One Count of Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official

Sierra Sizemore, 22:
Three Misdemeanors — One Count of Resisting an Officer Without Violence, One Count of Obstruction of Street, Sidewalk, or Alley, and One Count of Disobeying a Police Officer or Fire Department Official

The Tampa Police Department provided the following statement in a news release regarding the arrests:

“As a reminder, the Tampa Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone in our city. We recognize that individuals may choose to peacefully express their First Amendment rights and understand some members of the community may wish to do so through demonstrations. 

Our goal is to work together to ensure these events are safe, legal, and respect the rights of all. 

We ask anyone who plans to participate in a demonstration to do so in a safe and responsible manner. 

The Tampa Police Department will continue its efforts to uphold the safety of everyone in the City of Tampa, fostering an environment where everyone can be heard and feel safe, equally.”