Attorney: Charges dropped against activist arrested at Florida governor’s news conference

Jacksonville, FL — The trespassing charge against Jacksonville activist Ben Frazier has been dropped, according to a tweet from his attorney.

Attorney John Phillips said the charge was dropped Friday.

[RELATED: Ben Frazier, John Phillips plan possible lawsuit after arrest in Jacksonville]

Frazier was arrested earlier this month after refusing to leave a news conference with Governor Ron DeSantis at the Duval County Health Department.

Action News Jax spoke with Phillips Monday night.

He said Frazier still wants to meet with the governor.

Frazier and his attorney are still waiting to hear from the governor’s office on that meeting.

[RELATED: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office declines to reassign Ben Frazier’s trespassing case]

Phillips released the following statement on the charges being dropped:

“We are pleased to announce that trespass charges against respected civil rights activist Ben Frazier were dropped on Friday January 21. This apparently was in response to my email Thursday. Also attached. There is no need for a hearing; and there was, in fact, no need for an arrest. They knew it. Now we begin the process of legal action pertaining to Mr Frazier’s illegal and inappropriate arrest and restriction of speech.

“Despite the Governor’s saying they’d facilitate a meeting with Mr. Frazier, there is still no word from the Governor’s office. We invite that and suspect a simple meeting could avoid legal action entirely. It’s all he wanted all along. These charges were dismissed as quickly as they could have been given the issues of who would actually prosecute this spurious case.”

[RELATED: President of Northside Coalition removed ahead of Gov. DeSantis’ news conference in Jacksonville]

Frazier released the following statement:

“Freedom of speech is as important today as it was when the Bill of Rights was first written.  I am thankful for all of the people who supported us on and off of social media. It should be duly noted by all that Governor DeSantis is not above the U.S. Constitution. We invite him to live up to his office’s promise of a meeting.”

[PHOTOS: Jacksonville community activist handcuffed ahead of Florida governor’s news conference]

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