Activists arrested after barricading in office of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria

Six activists barricaded themselves in the City Hall offices of Mayor Todd Gloria on Friday, a stand-off that continued until they were arrested.

The protesters, who were in the waiting area outside of the office, were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor trespassing, said San Diego police Capt. Ryan Hallahan.

According to local activist Tasha Williamson, the group had gone to the office to discuss with Gloria policies and concerns related to San Diego police interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

“These are six non-violent people who just want a meeting,” she said. “They are simply saying they want a redress of grievances.”

“This is civil disobedience,” she said.

A San Diego police spokesperson said the mayor was not in his office when the barricade started, and staffers were evacuated from the area.

Gloria issued a statement Friday afternoon, saying that the group demanded to meet with him and staged a sit-in. “What transpired later went beyond peaceful protest.”

“These individuals chose to raid the front desk to my office, bang on the doors in ways that intended to force entry, and then barricaded the doors, creating a public safety hazard,” the mayor said.

“That conduct is unacceptable — full stop,” he said.

Williamson said she was with the group when they arrived about 9:30 a.m. in an attempt to meet with Gloria. She did not join the group when they barricaded themselves inside the o...