Not even veterans are immune to being illegally detained amid the current immigration crackdown across the country. A 17-year Ohio veteran was arrested simply for joining a peaceful protest in Minnesota.
A video posted on Instagram showed the veteran surrounded by law enforcement as they cuffed and searched her. The clip was posted with a caption disclosing that the protest was happening outside SpringHill Suites, where Greg Bovino, Border Patrol Commander, was staying. “My name is Josephine Guilbeau. I’m a 17-year Army veteran and former intelligence officer. I’ve worked with the NSA, DIA, and ODNI, and I am under arrest for peacefully protesting and covering what’s going on here in Minnesota,” she said, facing the cameras of the onlookers.
The veteran shared that she had come all the way from Ohio to see for herself “that we are turning into 1930 Germany here.” She alleged that the police were not those who fought for the community but rather the ones who were “fighting the community to protect the murderers that are in this hotel right now.”
Guilbeau stated that if nothing were done, the same thing would be replicated in other cities, where the authorities would be against the community to defend these “murderers,” because “they work for the same system!” As the agents led her to the car, she screamed, “This is what we’re doing. This is where we are now, guys! If they’ll arrest veterans, they’ll arrest you too!”
The comment section immediately lit up with reactions from netizens.
“The right to peacefully ‘Assemble’ is a First Amendment constitutional right that this administration continues to violate. And they will say she was ‘impeding’ or ‘obstructing’. It’s insane what they’re getting away with,” one user lamented. “Cowards that never served, arresting patriots that did. Trump’s America,” a second one chimed in. “MAGA and GOP just LOVE Constitutional violations!” another user stated.
“Nobody but the president is safe in the United States, 3rd world country,” a netizen slammed. “Delicate male egos can’t handle peaceful protests. It gives them big emotions,” this user jested. Someone else wrote, “I’m sorry, does it surprise anybody they’re arresting veterans? She’s not the first. They’re going after off-duty police officers. Next, it will be active duty service members and police officers who are on duty in uniform.”
Some users focused on the veteran’s act of service and courage.
“Thank you for your service of 17 years and for speaking the truth,” one wrote. “Such a brave American. Her words are chilling, but probably not working. May God bless America!” Another added. “Admire her speaking of the injustice while being taken into custody!”
