First Amendment Activities Prompt SBPD Response

On October 19, 2023, at about 7 p.m., Santa Barbara Police Officers responded to the intersection of State Street and San Roque Road to monitor several groups engaged in demonstrations. A caller notified the Combined Communications Center that two groups were yelling at each other.

The Officers observed the two groups involved in First Amendment-protected activities and remained to provide safety and ensure that constitutional rights were equally protected. The two groups expressed opposing views on the recent violence in Israel stemming from the Hamas attack.

An Officer observed one of the demonstrators quickly approach the opposing side; he then grabbed a flag and ran. An Officer gave chase and detained the subject who stole the flag. The victim who had possessed the flag signed for a citizen's arrest, resulting in a citation being issued.