Jason Wilson, Florida man arrested with machete at RNC
On Sunday afternoon, police in Tampa arrested a man they say had a “full size” machete strapped to his leg while at a protest of the Republican convention, the Associated Press reported.
Machete strapped to Jason Wilson’s leg/Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office photo
Jason Wilson, a 31-year-old man from Tallahassee, was ordered to stop by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies, but continued walking.
“When deputies caught up to Wilson, he advised he did not have to stop and that he was allowed to carry whatever he wanted,” said Larry McKinnon, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s office.
Weapons are not allowed in areas that police have designated as “event zones.”
Wilson reportedly resisted arrest, but was subdued and was charged with carrying a prohibited item and resisting arrest with violence.
Other protests, including one by Code Pink protesters dressed as female body parts proclaiming “Read my Lips,” were reportedly carried out without incident, but Bay News 9 reported that there was some confusion over the length of sticks being used to prop up a giant Mitt Romney puppet.
Initially, police thought the sticks were too long, but changed their mind after measuring them.
According to Bay News 9, Police Chief Castor said “there was just a little bit of confusion on it. Whether we should or shouldn’t allow those in here and then the Captain made the decision. The right decision.”
