Mall security evicts protestors from DeSantis book signing
LEESBURG, Fla. (FLV) – Amid controversy over a video where a security guard told protestors to leave a Books-A-Million book-signing event for Gov. Ron DeSantis, claims are circulating that DeSantis or his team personally “ordered the police,” or mall security, to evict former President Donald Trump supporters from the property.
“His staff ordered the police to make ‘anyone wearing a Trump shirt’ or anyone with any ‘Trump gear’ to leave!” Laura Loomer tweeted with a video of the security guard.
“DeSantis told the police to kick out anyone in Trump gear!” she claimed.
The man telling the gathering of around a dozen protesting DeSantis to leave Lake Square Mall’s private property is not a police officer, but a mall security guard.
On video, the guard said the “DeSantis people are in [the store] saying – have me come out – to tell you guys not to be here, while he’s here, signing the book.”
As the protestors refused to vacate private property after being asked to leave, the security guard, who was wearing a Trump wristband and described himself as a Trump supporter, called local police. The protestors were then advised to move to the sidewalk.
Florida’s Voice spoke both with a manager at Books-A-Million and with management of the Lake Square Mall.
A manager at Books-A-Million said neither the store, nor event organizers at the store, handle security.
Mall management corroborated that notion, telling Florida’s Voice that stores and event organizers do not give mall security ‘orders’ and have no authority to make security decisions when it comes to removing demonstrators.
Management said that when it comes to security decisions, the mall makes its own decisions on approaching public safety. When it comes to protests, Florida’s Voice was told that to ensure safety and to keep the peace, demonstrators are typically asked to move to the public sidewalk.
Florida’s Voice called the mall’s security department. The guard who is seen on video declined to comment.
DeSantis’ campaign did not comment on the mall’s security.
