One ‘No Kings’ protester and two counter-protesters were arrested June 14 during the ‘No Kings’ demonstration in downtown Ocala. Here’s what we know:
Which counter-protesters were arrested, and on what charges?
Stephen Libardoni, 65, of Silver Springs, was arrested on two counts of battery. According to Ocala Police, he has been accused of pushing people at the protest. He was identified by witnesses.
Libardoni was booked into the Marion County Jail at 11 a.m. June 14 and as of 3:40 p.m. he remained there with bail set at $2,000.
Michael Loren, 47, of Dunnellon, was arrested on one count of battery and one count of possession of a weapon (brass knuckles) by a convicted felon. He has been accused of shoving a protester, according to Ocala Police.
Loren was booked into the jail at 12:02 p.m. and was still there at 3:45 p.m. He was being held without bail.
Which ‘No Kings’ protester was arrested and on what charge?
The protester was identified as Alexandra Krolman, 35, no hometown listed. She was charged with one count of battery. According to Ocala Police, she’s accused of hitting a counter-protester with a cardboard sign during a dispute.
Krolman was booked into the jail at 12:47 p.m. and remained there at 3:50 p.m.
What was the ‘No Kings’ protest?
The Ocala protest was one of many held nationwide on June 14. According to local organizers, the protest was meant to “show grass-roots support for vital causes and agencies which are being recklessly dismantled by the Trump administration.”
How many people attended the Ocala protest?
More than 1,000.
When and where was the protest held?
The protest was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. but started earlier. It was over by 1 p.m. The protest was held in downtown Ocala near the square.
Was there a strong police presence?
The Ocala Police Department had uniformed and non-uniformed officers present.
Jim Ross contributed
(This story was updated to change a photo)
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Three arrested, including 2 counter-protesters, at ‘No Kings’ rally in Ocala
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
