A young American activist and pre-school teacher has been arrested in Michigan immediately after giving a live television interview, in a case that has ignited accusations of political targeting and protest suppression.
Arrest Follows Viral Interview Criticising Venezuela Policy
Jessica Plichta, aged 22, was taken into custody by police in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Friday, 3 January 2025. The arrest occurred just moments after she finished a live broadcast with a local news station, where she was discussing a protest against the Trump administration's recent military action in Venezuela.
The demonstration, which involved roughly 200 people, was opposing an attack that reportedly led to the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and a death toll of 100. The clip of Plichta's interview spread rapidly across social media, amassing millions of views.
While headlines highlighted her age and profession, Plichta believes her arrest was singular and politically motivated. She is a co-founder of the local group Grand Rapids Opponents of War, which organised the Saturday protest.
A Controversial Trip to Caracas
The activist's suspicion stems from a recent journey she undertook. In late November, Plichta travelled to Caracas, Venezuela, as part of a delegation to the International People's Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace of Our Americas.
This visit came amid a US blockade and after President Trump ordered Venezuelan airspace to be "closed in its entirety" on 29 November—a move that caused many other activists to cancel their plans. Plichta proceeded, meeting with local communes and activists, and claims she even spoke with President Maduro.
"I came back to the US, and I've done report-backs. I had spoken at that rally. I gave an interview, and immediately, during the interview, I get shut down and arrested out of 200 people. So what else can you say about that?" Plichta stated.
A Familiar Tactic to Suppress Dissent?
According to local outlet 13 On Your Side, Plichta now faces misdemeanour charges of "obstructing a roadway and failure to obey a lawful command from a police officer". Local organisers argue this is a deliberate strategy by Grand Rapids police.
Emerson Wolf, co-director of the Grand Rapids Institute for Global Education, confirmed this pattern. Wolf was arrested on identical charges months after speaking at an International Women's Day event, just as they were preparing to lead another protest.
"If it's truly about the safety of people executing their sacred free speech rights in the streets of Grand Rapids, then why doesn't GRPD arrest protesters right away, or do more to help encourage the safety of protesters downtown?" Wolf questioned. "Instead, they issue citations months later in order to criminalise dissent."
The arrest comes against a tense national backdrop. Wolf connected it to the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis, which sparked nationwide demonstrations. "First, they arrest us on camera, and then they shoot us in the streets," Wolf said. "This is unacceptable. We're living in a nightmare right now."
Both activists see the US action in Venezuela as a critical flashpoint. "We do not want war. We do not want the US to escalate its attacks on Venezuela. We don't want our friends and family to have to fight a rich man's war for oil," Plichta emphasised.
Despite the arrest, Plichta remains defiant, believing suppression will only strengthen the movement. "So many people are going to be coming out more and more. When you try to suppress the movement, all it does is radicalise those who stand against needless war," she said.
Echoing this sentiment, Wolf posed a fundamental question: "If they don't want us marching in the streets, how else do they expect us to voice our opinions?"
