Dem Leaders Arrested As FL Senate Passes 6-Week Abortion Ban

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried and Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book were among several people arrested Monday during a protest outside the Florida State Capitol, where senators gathered to approve a Gov. Ron DeSantis-supported bill to ban abortions after six weeks, according to party officials and multiple reports.

The six-week ban more closely aligns Florida with the abortion restrictions of other Republican-controlled states and gives DeSantis a political win on an issue important to GOP primary voters ahead of his potential White House run.

The measure passed the Senate in a 26-13 vote. The House must still approve it before it reaches the governor's desk.

Florida currently prohibits abortions after 15 weeks.

Florida Democrats confirmed the arrests of Fried and Book in a tweet Monday night.

In a news release provided to the Tallahassee Democrat, Tallahassee police said officers were "ensuring a safe environment" for demonstrators as they "peacefully protested." In the statement, police confirmed 11 people were arrested during the demonstration.

"After multiple warnings throughout the day, protestors acknowledged they understood that anyone refusing to leave the premises at sundown would be subject to arrest," police said. "This evening, after sunset, the majority of the crowd left the property while 11 people refused to leave despite numerous requests. They were subsequently arrested for trespass after warning."

"TPD encourages individuals exercising their First Amendment right of peaceful assembly to do so in accordance with the law. TPD supports non-disruptive demonstrations and works diligently to protect and uphold the rights of citizens every day."

Fried tweeted a picture of her being led away in handcuffs, writing, "I'm out. And not ever backing down."

In a tweet shared Monday afternoon, Book said, "the fight continues" to ensure people have access to abortions.

"In the course of just two generations, we've seen our rights won & lost. It is now up to us to get them back. Because no one is going to save us but ourselves," Book tweeted.

If passed by the House and signed by DeSantis, the bill would have more significant implications for abortion access throughout the South, as nearby states Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi prohibit the procedure at all stages of pregnancy and Georgia bans it after cardiac activity can be detected, which is around six weeks.

The proposal allows exceptions until 15 weeks of pregnancy to save a woman's life or if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest. In those cases, a woman must provide documentation such as a medical record, restraining order or police report. Under the bill, drugs used in medication-induced abortions could be dispensed only in person by a physician.

The new bill will only take effect if the state's current 15-week ban is upheld in an ongoing legal challenge before the state Supreme Court.

During a debate Monday, Book urged women to contact her office directly, reading her phone number aloud on the Senate floor, if they are considering getting an abortion and need to connect with healthcare providers.

"Please don't take matters into your own hands. Do not put your safety at risk. No back-alley abortions. There are people and funds that will help you. No matter where you live, no matter how desperate of a situation you are in, no matter how helpless it may seem. I promise, you are not alone. Call my office," Book said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.