Authorities say a protester advocating for a Gaza ceasefire was arrested in San Diego Friday during Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to the area for a fundraiser.
Approximately 50 protestors were waiting for Harris when her motorcade arrived at around 3 p.m., at a gated community in an area called Fairbanks Ranch, Lt. Gavin Lanning of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said.
“One of the protesters jumped in front of the motorcade to stop Vice President Harris from entering the neighborhood,” Lanning said.
The protestor was detained after blocking the motorcade. Another protestor then stepped in, which allowed the first protestor to escape.
Surveillance footage shows authorities pushing the two demonstrators – one of which fell to the ground. A sheriff and a California Highway Patrol officer then grabbed one of the protestors. It is unclear which of the two protestors was detained although Lanning confirmed that protester who intervened was arrested and charged.
This protester was released and cited by North Coastal Sheriff’s Station shortly after being detained. One of the two protesters faces criminal charges of obstructing a peace officer.
No injuries have been reported. There were no reports of property or vehicle damage.
The news comes just months after Harris’ motorcade was targeted in Phoenix.
In March, 30-year-old Anasilvia Gomez-Zamora was taken into custody after she threw red liquid on police officers who were a part of the vice president’s motorcade.
Gomez-Zamora was charged with aggravated assault of police officers, endangerment and resisting arrest.
And in January, a Phoenix man was arrested for making online death threats against Harris. At the time, he faced multiple federal charges.
David Michael Hanson, 41, allegedly used a social media platform in November and December 2023 to threaten the lives of the president and vice president, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona.
The U.S. Secret Service warned Hanson on November 19 about the federal crime of posting such threats after discovering his online statements, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reported.
