A protestor advocating against the United States’ operations in Venezuela found herself unexpectedly detained shortly after speaking with local media. The incident unfolded over the weekend in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Jessica Plichta had been voicing her disapproval of the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

During the protest, Plichta had just concluded an interview with a local news station when police officers approached her. News cameras captured the moment two officers moved in to apprehend her, creating a dramatic scene broadcast live.

In her interview with WZZM, Plichta emphasized the importance of public pressure, stating, “We have to apply pressure at all points that we can.” She pointed out that the issue extends beyond international borders, highlighting, “It’s our tax dollars that are also being used to commit these war crimes.”

Plichta further asserted that it is the responsibility of American citizens to oppose the administration’s actions. “It is our duty to stand against the Trump regime, the Trump administration, for committing crimes both here in the US and against people in Venezuela,” she declared emphatically.

She then declared that it is the American people’s ‘duty… to stand against the Trump regime, the Trump administration, for committing crimes both here in the US and against people in Venezuela.’

Plichta organized the rally on Saturday with the Grand Rapids Opponents of War just hours after the Trump administration announced it had taken Maduro and his wife into custody in an overnight operation.

She said she was in Venezuela three weeks prior for an international summit, the People’s Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty of Our America.

‘I saw Maduro in person. People loved him,’ she claimed. ‘Maduro was elected by the people. He is for the people and the people want to see his return.’

‘Free Maduro,’ Plichta concluded. 

Jessica Plichta had just finished giving an interview to WZZM when she was arrested by Grand Rapids police officers on Saturday

Officers said she was obstructing a roadway and failed to obey a lawful command from a police officer when they took her into custody

As she then unclipped the microphone she was using for the interview, two officers could be seen coming up behind her, at which point she puts her hands on her head.

The officers then grab both of her wrists and handcuffs her behind her back, before leading her to a nearby patrol car.

When a bystander then asks why she is being arrested, an officer said she was obstructing a roadway and failed to obey a lawful command from a police officer. 

In a statement to AlterNet, the Grand Rapids Police Department claimed officers following the march made more than 25 announcements asking the group of protesters to ‘leave the roadway and relocate their activities to the sidewalk.’

‘Blocking traffic in this manner is a direct violation of city and state law,’ the department noted.

‘The group refused lawful orders to move this free speech event to the sidewalk, and instead began blocking intersections until the march ended.’

At that point, police said, ‘patrol officers consulted with their sergeant and the watch commander, who informed the officers that if the individuals could be located, they were subject to arrest.

‘The adult woman who was arrested was positively identified by officers, and the lawful arrest was made,’ the department said. 

Plichta was later released and was seen triumphantly raising her left fist in the air as she proclaimed, ‘Viva Maduro,’ which translates to ‘Maduro lives’

Plichta organized a protest in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday to protest the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The former dictator is seen in handcuffs after landing at a Manhattan helipad en route to the federal courthouse in New York City on Monday

Plichta was released from custody later that day, according to a video shared by the Grand Rapids Alliance.

She was seen triumphantly raising her left fist in the air as she proclaimed, ‘Viva Maduro,’ which translates to ‘Maduro lives.’

‘Victory to the Palestinian resistance,’ Plitchta continued. 

The march in Grand Rapids on Saturday was one of many demonstrations that have sprung up in cities across the United States as those who condemn the Trump administration’s decision to lock up the Venezuelan leader took to the streets.

Protesters were seen in Chicago, Oregon and even outside the White House slamming the United States for snatching up the world leader.

In Seattle, Washington, protesters with a group called Answer (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition were seen holding up signs reading: ‘Stop Bombing Venezuela Now’ and ‘No Blood for Oil.’ 

Outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York – where Maduro is being held – a mass of protesters were seen chanting ‘Free Maduro right now.’ 

Chaos also unfolded outside of the Manhattan federal courthouse in Manhattan, where Maduro and his wife appeared for their first court hearing Monday afternoon, forcing New York City police to intervene.

Maduro claimed in court on Monday he was ‘kidnapped’ by the US

Demonstrators are seen supporting Maduro outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan 

Those who condemn the Trump administration’s decision to lock up the Venezuelan leader have taken to the streets in cities across the US

Inside the courthouse, Maduro told the judge he was ‘kidnapped’ by the US. 

The fallen dictator, wearing headphones for translation and dark prison clothes, argued to Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein that he’s a ‘decent man’ and pleaded his innocence as he spoke for the first time since the Delta Force operation that captured him from his presidential palace in Caracas.

Maduro also claimed that he was ‘still president of my country’ before being cut off by Hellerstein during the hearing.

He and his wife then pleaded not guilty to four counts of drug trafficking and other charges.

The court then set a next date of March 17, and no application for bail was made. 

More than eight million Venezuelans have fled the country since 2014 due to rampant violence, inflation, gang warfare, and food shortages under Maduro’s reign. As a result, the country has been left facing one of the largest displacement crises in the world, according to the United Nations. 

But Trump’s unapologetic focus on the South American nation’s oil supplies has prompted some US lawmakers to accuse him of being primarily motivated by economic gain, rather than a desire to pursue criminal charges.  

Maduro was shuffled into a police SUV this morning, sporting prison garb, as he made his way from an NYC jail to his first court appearance

President Donald Trump has said the US will now govern Venezuela indefinitely

In addition to capturing Maduro, a large-scale US airstrike was carried out in Venezuela’s capital.  

Around 40 civilians and military personnel died in the strike, an official told the New York Times. 

No US casualties have been reported, but there was an undisclosed number of injuries among US troops, all of whom are reportedly in stable condition after suffering non-life-threatening shrapnel and gunshot wounds.

Trump has said the US will now govern Venezuela indefinitely, while the South American country’s vice president, Delcy Rodriquez, has been formally sworn in as interim president. 

But Rodriguez, who also serves as minister for finance and oil, slammed Maduro’s arrest as ‘an atrocity that violates international law’ and called for his ‘immediate release.’ 

She has also insinuated that she was not as on board with helping the US essentially run Venezuela as Trump had suggested.