TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Police arrested a little more than a dozen demonstrators at the Florida Capitol on Wednesday after they blocked the lobby of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office and refused to leave.

The arrests marked the end of an afternoon-long sit-in, which at one point included upwards of several dozen demonstrators.

Some lined the hallway leading into DeSantis’ office lobby, while others locked arms inside. They caroled songs, waved banners and spoke out against several Florida GOP initiatives throughout the demonstration.

The 14 arrested were charged with misdemeanor trespass and were booked into the Leon County Jail, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. 

A demonstrator from St. Petersburg said the group wanted to meet with the governor. Instead, some were arrested, and others were removed.

"(We) wasted a lot of time trying to get people divided and angry at one another,” said Ashley Green ,who was demonstrating at the Capitol. “And enough is enough, we want a governor who actually cares about the people of Florida, and not running for president."

As the Capitol closed, members of law enforcement warned occupiers that they may face arrest if they do not leave. Most members vacated as police issued their final warning. Others refused.

“The building is now closed,” echoed a police loud speaker moments before the arrests. “You must vacate the property immediately or be subject to arrests and trespass for one year at the Capitol complex.”

Dream Defenders, a socialist group, organized the sit-in. According to their website, the activist group believes in a world without prisons or policing. They also self-describe as Black feminists and internationalists. The group established itself in 2012 after the controversial death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman in Sanford.

In a statement to Spectrum News, the group rebuked DeSantis and the arrests. They also accused Republicans of attempting to “destroy remnants of democracy in Florida” while also pursuing a “21st century confederacy.”

“This protest was about the entirety of his governance and his attempts to divide the people of Florida by attacking the most vulnerable people,” said Dream Defenders Press Secretary Akin Olla. “This includes his attacks on trans people, his power grab at Florida school boards, his attacks on abortion rights.”

Wednesday’s demonstration came as lawmakers passed two bills that critics believe target the LGBTQ+ community. One proposal would restrict classroom instruction on gender ideology and sexual orientation until high school.

It’s an expansion of law critics dub “Don’t Say Gay.” The other bill threatens penalties against a person who refuses to leave a publicly-owned restroom that does not align with their sex at birth.

Felipe Sousa Lazaballet, of Orlando, is among those who attended the rally. A member of the LGBTQ+ community, Sousa Lazaballet expressed frustration against a wave of legislation he says “puts Floridians back into the closet” and harms immigrations. Sousa Lazaballet is a Brazilian immigrant himself.

“These bills impact real people and this is why we’re willing to do what it takes to get our voices heard,” Sousa Lazaballet said inside of the office lobby.

Ashley Green shared similar frustrations. A St. Petersburg resident, Green accused the GOP-majority of ignoring Florida’s most pressing issues while diving head first into culture war battles. Issues like poverty, she says, deserve more attention that the regulation of restrooms.

“Going to jail is not fun,” Green told Spectrum News. “I’m not here to go to jail. I’m here to make sure people can live a good life and a safe life.”