Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Three individuals who participated in a protest that blocked part of Interstate 4 near the Walt Disney World Resort have been arrested.
Credit: Becky Burkett
Pro-Palestinian Protests Block Interstate on the Way to Disney
On Saturday, a small group of protesters gathered along Interstate Highway 4 near Disney World, blocking traffic along the roadway for about 10 minutes. Their efforts were foiled when Florida State Highway Patrol officers responded to calls about the situation and dismantled the demonstration.
BREAKING: Central Florida Queers for Palestine is blocking the exit to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. pic.twitter.com/DW5Kuq6bS1
— Stu (@thestustustudio) May 11, 2024
The protesters, identified as 26-year-old Isabella Giannosa, 24-year-old Jenni Nguyen of Winter Garden, Florida, and 24-year-old My Truong of Oviedo, Florida, were arrested by troopers and charged with refusing to obey a police officer–a misdemeanor in the state of Florida. The trio was transported to the Orange County Jail.
Credit: Orange County Jail
Per The Orange Observer, the protesters appear to have connections with a group known as Central Florida Queers for Palestine.
Conflicting Claims Via Social Media
Via social media, the Central Florida Queers for Palestine claimed that Orange County, Florida, “is withholding bail, physically intimidating our community members, and lying about their [sic] booking procedure.”
Credit: X/@stustustudio
However, on Sunday, May 12, the day after the protests and ensuing arrests, the three protesters had already been released on a bond of $1,000 each. The person who acted as depositor was listed as Tamara Yousef from Dr. Phillips, Florida.
The three defendants are scheduled to appear in court before a judge on June 25, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
“Our people are free,” one post about the scenario reads. “Thank you to everyone who donated, shared, called, and uplifted our comrades.”
Public Reception of the Disruption
According to @stustustudio on X, formerly Twitter, a father who was frustrated by the protesters blocking the interstate got out of his vehicle to air his grievances.
One Dad was not having it that Central Florida Queers for Palestine was blocking the exit to Disney World. One of the activist jumps into the car to leave, but the police are already on the scene. They keep recording as they start to drive off.
Credit: X/@stustustudio
The protests come as tension continues to mount between Israel and Hamas in response to an explosive conflict that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a retaliatory attack in Israel, killing more than 1,100 Israelis and taking hundreds hostage.
This post originally appeared on Disney Dining.
