One Meridian woman was arrested Tuesday after police say she was violating city orders by trespassing on closed city playground equipment.
Sara Brady, 40, was arrested and charged with one count of misdemeanor trespassing.
Following Brady’s arrest, there were protests being held at Meridian City Hall. Social media posts indicate the woman was initially arrested during a peaceful protest at Kleiner Park. (Video of arrest is below)
“I feel like I was singled out because I was the only person that was arrested,” Brady told CBS 2 News. “I wasn’t the only person standing on the bark. I definitely wasn’t playing on the playground equipment. I wasn’t swinging, never touched them. But yeah, I do feel like I was singled out and maybe it was because I asked too many questions.”
Officers said they informed several people gathered on the closed playground equipment that they could move to the other areas of the park.
The playground was wrapped with caution tape and signage announcing the playground was closed due to COVID-19.
Meridian officers say they made several attempts to help Brady adhere to the rules and that she was not complying with the requests.
“These are very trying times and the Meridian Police Department supports the public’s right to assemble for peaceful protest, however the right does not include damaging public property or ignoring closures of City property and facilities,” MPD said.
There were also counter-protesters arguing against how the protest at Meridian City Hall was handled. Jamsey McRoberts was one of the counter-protesters.
“I came here today to stand against the fact that people were gathering,” McRoberts said. “I want cities to open up. The governor, the mayor, the president, and everybody else should know that by social distancing we can still have normal lives.”
McRoberts believes Brady was in the wrong, but disagrees with police’s decision to arrest her.
