TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — State Representative Angie Nixon, a Democrat from Jacksonville who is also pursuing a seat in the U.S. Senate, appeared in court on Tuesday in Tallahassee.
Her court appearance is related to her arrest during a sit-in demonstration outside the Governor’s office, a protest that erupted following the implementation of Florida’s newly redrawn congressional districts.
Court documents reveal that Nixon has been charged with trespassing and resisting an officer without violence.
“I was in that office to defend your right to vote, and for that stand, I am being treated like a criminal,” Nixon stated at a press conference following Tuesday’s court session.
Nixon is calling the case a “desperate attempt” to intimidate and silence political pushback against the state’s new congressional maps.
Back in April, the legislature passed new district lines. The House passed the new map 83-28 and the Senate 21-17.
After floor debate had wrapped, Nixon pulled out a bright pink bullhorn and started chanting, “this is a violation of the constitution” in protest of the new map.
Following that outburst weeks later, Nixon was reprimanded by a house committee who called her actions on the debate floor disruptive and out of order.
“If could do it again, I would,” Nixon said.
A day later, Nixon staged a sit-in protest at the governor’s office, demanding to speak to him and his team about the new maps.
According to court records, Capitol Police were called after they received reports that individuals were loudly chanting and disrupting office operations. Officers said she was told to leave several times but refused.
Nixon was then escorted to the Capitol Police office, where she was arrested.
8 On Your Side reached out to the governor’s office for a comment but have yet to hear back.
Nixon’s legal team is planning to argue that she was just trying to speak directly with Governor Ron DeSantis on behalf of her constituents.
“We want to challenge what’s going on here. We want State Representatives like Angie Nixon and others who are willing to fight to be able to confront the governor,” said Akbar Mutaqee, Nixon’s Attorney.
A jury trial is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 21 in Leon County.