Jessica Plichta is a 22-year-old preschool teacher and anti-war activist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She helps organize with Grand Rapids Opponents of War. On January 3, 2026, she was arrested live on camera during a broadcast interview with local station WZZM-13 after speaking at a protest against the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Police charged her with obstructing a roadway and failing to obey a lawful order from an officer. Grand Rapids police say protesters were told multiple times to move off the street and onto the sidewalk. Video of her arrest went viral, sparking debate about protest policing and free speech.
She has been released from jail and had this to say: 👇
https://bird.makeup/users/allenanalysis/statuses/2008270949372883322
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"content": "Jessica Plichta is a 22-year-old preschool teacher and anti-war activist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She helps organize with Grand Rapids Opponents of War. On January 3, 2026, she was arrested live on camera during a broadcast interview with local station WZZM-13 after speaking at a protest against the U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. \n\nPolice charged her with obstructing a roadway and failing to obey a lawful order from an officer. Grand Rapids police say protesters were told multiple times to move off the street and onto the sidewalk. Video of her arrest went viral, sparking debate about protest policing and free speech. \n\nShe has been released from jail and had this to say: 👇\nhttps://bird.makeup/users/allenanalysis/statuses/2008270949372883322\nhttps://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/2010234915665719296/vid/avc1/720x1280/XesjKJAK41CXcdwg.mp4\nnostr:note1grvanpynwemy8wweklr2masazq3lngg0qkqrs9jqcm8hxuqxp42qter5x6\n",
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