SANFORD, Fla. – A man was arrested following an altercation during a “No Kings” protest in Sanford on Saturday, according to the Sanford Police Department.
Police say James Caldwell was taken into custody on a charge of battery after a confrontation with another protester escalated.
Demonstrations tied to the “No Kings” movement were held across Central Florida and nationwide Saturday, with some locations drawing both supporters and counterprotesters. In Sanford, opposing groups gathered, including demonstrators both in support of and against President Donald Trump.
According to an arrest report, officers were monitoring the area due to a heated verbal exchange between Caldwell, who was participating in support of the “No Kings” protest, and a woman who was there in opposition.
The report states that during the exchange, Caldwell used a sign he was holding to strike the back of the woman’s head.
Caldwell was arrested shortly after the incident and later bonded out of jail the same day.
When News 6 went to Caldwell’s home, a family member said he did not have a comment at this time but may respond in the future.
The woman involved in the incident spoke with News 6 by phone but asked that neither her name nor her husband’s name be released. She also provided video recorded during the protest, which shows part of the interaction leading up to the arrest.
Sanford police say body camera footage of the arrest exists. A request has been made to obtain that video.