Greenville PD releases new information on arrests at ‘Bans off our Bodies’ rally

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Six people were arrested during a rally in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in downtown Greenville on Saturday, according to Greenville Police.

According to police, the protest that was supposed to last from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. with 100 people present at One City Plaza.

However, police said about 400 to 500 people were actually present and the rally exceeded its scheduled end time.

On several occasions, police addressed pro-choice and pro-life protestors standing on opposites sides of the street telling them to stop trying to cross the road to the opposite side.

According to the City of Greenville, picketing may be conducted only on the sidewalks, on the grounds of a city-controlled park or plaza...it may not be conducted on the portion of a street used for vehicular traffic.

Here are the six suspects arrested:

Maggie Giordano (26)

• Interfering with Police Officer
• Pedestrian in the Roadway

Reese Madden (22)

• Interfering with Police Officer
• Disorderly Conduct

Joanne Schmidt (62)

• Interfering with Police Officer
• Pedestrian in the Roadway

Nan Giordano (62)

• Interfering with Police Officer
• Pedestrian in the Roadway

Chloe Giordano (23)

• Interfering with Police Officer

Anthony Giordano (61)

• Resisting Arrest
• Pedestrian in the Roadway

Officers said Nan Giordano ignored warnings and walked into the street to try and provoke counter-protesters multiple times before officers attempted to arrest her. While officers tried to place her into handcuffs, officers said she began to struggle and pull away.

While they were detaining Nan Giordano the other suspects mentioned above began to jump in and interfere with the officer’s attempt to detain her. As the suspect closed in on them, one officer said they took out their taser and displayed a warning arc to the crowd. Soon after this warning, the crowds began to back up onto the sidewalks and the suspects were detained.

Police said the picket line was deemed an unlawful assembly soon after and officers dispersed both sides.

Police are investigating this incident.

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