HERNANDO COUNTY -- Brian Stewart, chairperson of the Hernando County Democratic Party, was arrested and charged with battery Saturday after he allegedly struck another attendee at a “No Kings” protest in Spring Hill.
A video provided to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and reviewed by the Times appeared to show Stewart, 63, striking another man in the head with a bullhorn during the event meant to protest the Trump administration. Stewart then appeared to push the man, identified as Thomas Michta, in the chest with the bullhorn. The two continued to argue for about 30 seconds before Stewart walked away.
Michta had a “visible lump on his head,” a sheriff’s deputy later wrote in an arrest affidavit.
Stewart was booked into the Hernando County Jail on Saturday and released on bail that same day. His arraignment is scheduled for April 27.
The Republican Party of Florida identified Michta as a disabled military veteran in a news release Monday.
“Violence and political intimidation have no place in our state, and Floridians deserve better than mere silence from Democrat leadership,” chairperson Evan Power said in a statement. Power called on Florida Democratic Party chairperson Nikki Fried to “immediately remove Brian Stewart from his position of leadership.”
Fried did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Hernando County Democratic Party said in a statement that Michta threw a drink on Stewart. Stewart did not immediately respond to a phone call and text requesting comment on Monday.
“The Hernando County Democratic Party strongly condemns violence,” the local party’s statement said. “We have been made aware that our Chair, Brian Stewart, was arrested after responding to a provocation from a local agitator who threw a drink on him and yelled obscenities at community members during a protest. We are monitoring the incident.”
In Los Angeles, 75 people were arrested Saturday after “No Kings” protests. The Los Angeles Police Department reported protesters were attempting to tear down a chain link fence blocking a prison and were throwing items over the fence toward officers, a local ABC affiliate reported.
No other arrests were reported at “No Kings” events in Tampa Bay. Twelve such protests were planned in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.
A note at the bottom of the “No Kings” website urges protesters to de-escalate confrontations and comply with the law.
“We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events,” the note said.
