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An 87-year-old Air Force veteran is being hailed as a folk hero after his arrest during a protest of President Donald Trump’s administration in Washington, D.C. last week.
John Spitzberg of Gainesville, Florida, was among about 75 people arrested for allegedly crossing a police line during a June 13 demonstration outside of the Supreme Court building. Footage of Spitzberg’s arrest showed him being taken off of his walker and handcuffed by police officers as protesters shouted, “Shame!”
On Sunday, journalist Chuck Modi posted a TikTok video of Spitzberg being released after his arrest. When asked how he felt about being arrested at 87, Spitzberg replied, “I’m just beginning, my friend.”
“I’m gonna just get a little sleep, but I’m starting again,” he added.
At 6:15 am, 87 yo veteran was released from DC jail today after being arrested yesterday on Capitol steps for protesting against TrumpParade, Army spectacle and U.S. war machine. He was met by jail support who stayed up to help over 50 vets. He also answered this question, how does it feel to be arrested at 87 years old?
♬ original sound - ChuckModi1As of Tuesday, Modi’s clip had been viewed more than 2 million times and drawn a plethora of supportive comments.
“That is Captain America right there!!!” one person wrote.
Added another: “This man fought fascists back in the day and sadly still has to fight them today. But love that he is not giving up!”
According to Florida-based ABC affiliate WCJB, Spitzberg spent years in Ukraine, Romania and Vietnam while enlisted in the Air Force.
Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images
When asked by the outlet about the attention he’s received in the wake of his arrest, Spitzberg said he wished more people would focus on the subject of his protest: Trump and the staggering cost of the president’s military parade, held Saturday.
“I’m really not the issue. The issue is what President Trump is doing,” he said. “I’m not a leader there. I don’t wanna be a leader.”
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An estimated 4 to 6 million people participated in “No Kings” protests against Trump across the U.S. last weekend, which some say indicates a surge in activism against the president in his second term.
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