Caught on camera: Rally against the NSA

By Chip Weiner on Sun, Jun 23, 2013 at 2:49 pm

Police presence was obvious, primarily on bicycles and in cars driving by the protest. There were a few interactions between the demonstrators and the Tampa Police Department primarily about blocking the sidewalk, staying off the street, and writing on the buildings and sidewalk with chalk. There were no arrests. Cameras on and security officers from the federal building were also ever present.

A member of the Tampa Police Department speaks with a demonstrator about using chalk on the sidewalk.

The demonstration was held across the street from the Tampa Federal Building due in part to the fact that it houses the local district office for Sen. Bill Nelson.

Both young and old showed up to voice their concerns about NSA.

At one point the demonstrators walked around the block including the sidewalk in front of the Tampa Federal Building holding signs and chanting their protest.

Chock was used on the sidewalk and building to carry the message.

Guy Fawkes mask worn by an Occupy Tampa demonstratoe in front of the Tampa Federal Courthouse

Guy Fawkes mask worn by an Occupy Tampa demonstrator in front of the Tampa Federal Building

Members of The Veterans for Peace organization hold a banner for the cars passing on Florida Avenue in front of the Federal Building.

The demonstration ended peacefully at around 5:30 p.m.

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Members of Occupy Tampa hold signs outside of the Federal Building in downtown Tampa on Friday afternoon.

Dozens of people gathered across the street from the Federal Building in downtown Tampa on Friday afternoon to rally against the allegations that the National Security Agency is using the Internet and other technology to spy on U.S. citizens. The building houses Sen. Bill Nelson's local district office. According to organizers Sen. Nelson voted for the establishment of the Prism program. It was revealed last week that Prism, code name for a program surreptitiously collecting information via the Internet worldwide, was being used by the NSA. Participants from several organizations including Occupy Tampa, Veterans for Peace and St. Pete for Peace showed up for the demonstration.

Demonstrators across the street from the Tampa Federal Courthouse under Kress Building awning held signs protesting the NSA, Sen. Bill Nelson, and advocating for the release of Bradley Manning who was arrested in 2010 for releasing classified information to the website Wikileaks.