A St. Lucie County woman was arrested at a ‘No Kings’ protest in Vero Beach after an altercation involving a ‘Trump Won’ flag, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred on October 18, 2025, during one of the largest protest events in recent U.S. history.
No Kings Protest Vero Beach: Details of the Incident
The No Kings protest in Vero Beach was part of a nationwide demonstration opposing President Donald Trump‘s policies. According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the confrontation happened near the intersection of State Road 60 and 58th Avenue, just outside the Vero Beach city limits. Over 3,100 protesters had gathered at this location as part of six coordinated events across the Treasure Coast.
Deputies reported that Bonnie Howard, 73, of St. Lucie County, approached a man holding a ‘Trump Won’ flag. According to the official arrest affidavit, Howard engaged the man in a verbal dispute, raised her middle fingers close to his face, and attempted to snatch the flagpole from his hands.
Sequence of Events According to Deputies
According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the man resisted Howard’s attempt to take the flag. He did not respond physically, and Howard eventually loosened her grip and walked away as deputies arrived. The official report states that Howard was “unprovoked and for no apparent reason” began a verbal altercation with the man because he was “waving a flag opposite of the reason she was there.”
As deputies took Howard into custody, she reportedly dragged her feet and refused to enter the patrol vehicle, according to the arrest report. She was charged with felony robbery by sudden snatching without a weapon and transported to the Indian River County Jail.
Background on the No Kings Protest Movement
The No Kings protests on October 18, 2025, were organized by a coalition of advocacy groups. Organizers stated that the demonstrations were a response to what they described as President Donald Trump’s “monarchical” approach to governance and crackdowns on First Amendment rights. According to event organizers, the protests drew an estimated 5–7 million participants nationwide, spanning 2,700 communities.
Most events remained peaceful, with law enforcement agencies monitoring the situation and intervening only when necessary. The Vero Beach protest was one of six held across the Treasure Coast, attracting thousands of participants who lined busy intersections and public spaces, including massive demonstrations in Port St. Lucie that mirrored the scale of the Vero Beach event.
Law Enforcement Response and Public Safety
According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were present throughout the event to ensure public safety. The agency reported that the protest was otherwise peaceful, with no additional arrests or major incidents. Officials stated that they intervened only in response to specific altercations, such as the flag-snatching incident.
Details of the incident and arrest were provided in a preliminary report by the sheriff’s office. Officials have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that details may be updated as more information becomes available.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Bonnie Howard was booked into the Indian River County Jail on a single felony charge of robbery by sudden snatching without a firearm or weapon. According to jail records, she was released on October 19, 2025, after posting $1,500 bail. The case remains under review by the State Attorney’s Office for the 19th Judicial Circuit.
Robbery by sudden snatching is a third-degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5,000 fine. According to Florida Statutes, the charge applies when property is taken from a person’s immediate possession by sudden, unexpected force, but without the use of a weapon.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Tensions
The No Kings protest movement has highlighted ongoing tensions between opposing political groups in Florida and across the United States. Organizers of the Vero Beach event emphasized peaceful assembly and the importance of First Amendment rights. Law enforcement officials reported that, aside from the single arrest, the protest remained orderly and nonviolent.
Similar protests were held in Port St. Lucie and other Treasure Coast cities, with large crowds reported at each location. According to official sources, law enforcement agencies continue to monitor these events to ensure public safety and protect the rights of all participants.
- Location of incident: State Road 60 and 58th Avenue, Vero Beach
- Date: October 18, 2025
- Arrested: Bonnie Howard, 73, St. Lucie County
- Charge: Robbery by sudden snatching (no weapon)
- Bail: $1,500, released October 19, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions About No Kings Protest Vero Beach
What happened at the No Kings protest in Vero Beach?
According to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, a St. Lucie County woman was arrested after allegedly trying to snatch a ‘Trump Won’ flag from a protester during the No Kings demonstration on October 18, 2025.
Who was arrested at the Vero Beach No Kings protest?
Bonnie Howard, a 73-year-old resident of St. Lucie County, was arrested and charged with felony robbery by sudden snatching without a weapon, according to official reports.
How many people attended the No Kings protest in Vero Beach?
According to law enforcement and organizers, over 3,100 people participated in the Vero Beach protest, making it one of the largest gatherings on the Treasure Coast that day.
Were there other incidents or arrests at the Vero Beach protest?
Officials reported that aside from the single arrest, the protest remained peaceful with no other major incidents or arrests.
What is the No Kings protest movement?
The No Kings protests are nationwide demonstrations organized by advocacy groups to oppose President Donald Trump’s policies and perceived threats to First Amendment rights, according to event organizers.
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