Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and state Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book were among eleven arrested on Monday for protesting the state's tightened abortion restrictions.
Last year, Florida passed a law banning abortions after fifteen weeks, but a new bill passed in the state Senate on Monday aims to ban the procedure after six weeks. It is expected to pass the state House of Representatives and Governor Ron DeSantis' desk.
As the Senate debated the bill, Book fought her Republican colleagues in a passionate speech, saying that "in the course of just two generations, we’ve seen our rights won and lost."
\u201cIn the course of just two generations, we\u2019ve seen our rights won & lost.\n\nIt is now up to us to get them back. Because no one is going to save us but ourselves. \n\nAbortion is health care & women deserve to be equal & free! \n\nThe fight continues.\u201d— Lauren Book (@Lauren Book) 1680546338
"The Florida Senate just voted to give sacs of cells and even the deceased more rights than living, breathing, women and girls — not just equal rights… MORE!" she wrote on Twitter, adding, "The Senate also funneled $25 million to fake, non-medical, religious clinics peddling scientifically inaccurate disinformation — that’s nearly 8x the amount we give to Rape Crisis Centers with MONTHS LONG waiting lists!! It’s insulting and it’s WRONG."
Book also slammed new gun legislation that was passed at the same time as the abortion ban, which will make it legal to conceal carry without a permit.
"Florida is on a roll today… banning abortions & signing permitless concealed carry into law," she continued. "Guns are now less regulated than women’s bodies — and it’s easier to get a gun than to receive health care."
\u201cThis policy is a mistake. For years, Florida has been the \u201cGunshine State\u201d \u2013 and now we\u2019re emboldening more guns in public spaces with absolutely no permitting or training. If more guns made us safer, we\u2019d be safe by now.\u201d— Lauren Book (@Lauren Book) 1680550826
Fried also expressed outrage at the abortion bill, and noted that Republicans have introduced voting restrictions to be debated Tuesday, which would require first-time voters (primarily college students) to vote in person, and would not allow them to vote by mail.
In response to the legislation onslaught, both Fried and Book attended a protest Monday outside of Tallahassee City Hall. Despite the demonstration remaining peaceful, nearly a dozen were detained, including the government officials.
\u201cPolice just handcuffed & arrested protesters including \u2066@NikkiFried\u2069 & \u2066@LeaderBookFL\u2069\u201d— Gary Fineout (@Gary Fineout) 1680567629
Both were released hours later, with Fried opening up about the incident via Twitter and calling to "legalize women's rights." She wrote: "I’m out. And not ever backing down."
"We protest to honor the sacrifice of all the women who came before us, and all the women who are coming after us," Fried continued. "Women’s rights are human rights. And human rights must be inalienable."
\u201cI\u2019m out. And not ever backing down. \nJust fucking vote @FlaDems!!!\u201d— Nikki Fried (@Nikki Fried) 1680580222
