MIAMI (WSVN) - City of Miami Police have arrested seven people in downtown Miami for obstructing the roadway and resisting near the location where President Donald Trump took part in a town hall, one in a series of events that led to several road closures in the area.
Police confirmed the arrests just after 8 p.m., Thursday, shortly after the hourlong NBC News town hall got underway at the Pérez Art Museum.
A few blocks away from the venue, supporters and opponents of the president crowded opposte sides of Biscayne Boulevard.
7News cameras captured officers detaining three people following a showdown between Trump supporters and demonstrators backing Biden.
Just over an hour after the arrests, cameras captured the commander in chief waving as he left the museum in an armored car.
The event was one of several stops the commander in chief made after he touched down at Miami International Airport, Thursday afternoon. His visit meant several roads and a City of Miami park were temporarily closed.
Maurice Ferre Park, which is near the museum, was shut down between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Once he arrived in South Florida, Trump headed to his property in Doral for a fundraiser.
After the fundraiser, the president went to the Pérez Art Museum for the town hall event.
The biggest closure affected Interstate 395, which was shut down to all traffic at 7 p.m. It reopened ahead of schedule, just before 9:30 p.m.
Biscayne Boulevard between Northeast Eighth and 13th streets was shut down at 7:30 p.m. and reopened around 9:30 p.m.
“No one is going to be allowed. You cannot travel by vehicle, on foot or on a bicycle,” said City of Miami Police spokesperson Kenia Fallat earlier on Thursday.
The closed interstate was not the only traffic tie-up drivers will need to consider. Vice President Mike Pence was at Tamiami Park before he headed to Miami Gardens for two afternoon events.
The Metromover Omni Loop also ceased services starting at 6:30 p.m.
Miami-Dade Transit officials said a Metrobus shuttle for the Omni Loop was set up while service was stopped.
Metrobus routes S, 3, 120, and M were detoured during this timeframe.
Brickell resident Denise Prubost and her sisters, who are visiting from Ohio, unexpectedly found themselves caught in the middle of the chaos.
“We went out on a boat ride, and we’re just walking home, ’cause there’s no Mover,” said Prubost.
“I’m actually scared, and I wanted to go the other way,” said her sister, Terrese Tuchscher.
The women made their way back to Brickell on foot.
The Trump supporters near the museum were not the only local show of support for the president. Hours earlier, hundreds of boats took to Biscayne Bay for what organizers called a “patriot parade.”
Despite the commotion and street closures in downtown Miami, local resident Beto Guerrero said he doesn’t mind, because seeing an event like this up close is an opportunity many don’t get.
“I mean, it’s an exercise in democracy,” he said.
Last week, Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden arrived in Miami for his own NBC town hall. That night, both supporters and critics also lined up along Biscayne Boulevard for his arrival.
The Venetian and Julia Tuttle causeways remained open.
The Biden campaign held virtual events on Wednesday, and on Thursday, they will held a Florida seniors Get Out the Vote event.
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, a former presidential candidate, has donated $500,000 in a Get Out the Vote effort for Democrats in Miami-Dade County.
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