Arrest Near Peninsula Political Rally Stirs Controversy: Report

REDWOOD CITY, CA — The forcible arrest of a woman and subsequent search of her belongings Friday near a Redwood City rally held in opposition to the “defund the police” movement has stirred controversy, Climate Online reports.

Jesilyn Faust, 30, was arrested on suspicion of obstructing, delaying or resisting a peace officer, the Redwood City Police Department said in a news release.

Police said additional law enforcement personnel were dispatched to the area of the rally after learning from outside law enforcement agencies of social media posts suggesting a disruption of the rally was planned.

Faust was part of a group of around 10 people that police said were “moving around the periphery of the event,” police said.

Video of Faust’s arrest posted on Facebook shows police forcing her to the ground and handcuffing her.

Police said they contacted Faust at around 5 p.m. for a “California Vehicle Code” infraction after she was seen walking near the rally. “Her presence in the open roadway impacted at least one vehicle driving in the area,” according to police.

Police described the rally in the news release as a “community unity celebration” at Courthouse Square in Redwood City for which no permit was required.

The rally was identified by Climate Online as being held by “Back the Blue,” a group that advocates for law enforcement.

The Redwood City Police Department did not respond to messages from Patch clarifying the political affiliation of those who held the rally, or those who they suggested intended to disrupt the event.

The video posted on Facebook shows a tense encounter between Faust and about a half dozen officers. One officer is heard saying “you’re interfering with our arrest."

Faust is heard on the video saying “Don’t touch me … we were literally doing nothing … I’m not interfering with a f---ing arrest … What the f--- is wrong with you?”

During a subsequent search of Faust’s backpack police said they found a handheld metal chipping hammer or demolition tool, as well as two cans of spray paint.

“Based upon the circumstances leading up to and surrounding this law enforcement contact, police personnel believe it was highly likely that the chipping hammer / demolition tool and the spray paint were going to be used to cause property damage and/or possibly harm individuals in the Downtown Redwood City area,” police said.

Read more at Climate Online