Kamal Ghorui
A 69-year-old Florida man has been arrested after allegedly posting a threatening comment on Facebook about participants at a “No Kings” protest.According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Joseph McClain was taken into custody following a tip-off about a social media post referring to protestors on the Matlacha Pass Bridge as “AR-15 practice time.” Deputies said they received an anonymous report showing a Facebook account under the name “Joe McClain Sr.” commenting on a post discussing the demonstration.Authorities said the comment was linked to a “No Kings” protest on the Matlacha Pass Bridge, where more than 150 people had gathered. “It was so hot and stressful and wonderful,” said Mary Lewis Sheehan, a seasonal resident and organiser of the Matlacha protest. She added that demonstrators were holding signs and chanting during the event.Officers were sent to McClain’s home in Cape Coral, where they spoke with him and his girlfriend. Deputies located the residence near SW 6 Avenue and SW 42 Lane. During the visit, his girlfriend told officers she had no knowledge of the post and did not believe McClain posed a danger. She also confirmed he owned three firearms, which were later turned over to authorities.Investigators concluded the message was intended to be seen by others and could be interpreted as a genuine threat. McClain was arrested and charged with intimidation and making a written or electronic threat to kill or cause bodily harm.Sheehan said she was shaken when she learned about the comment. “Scared first when I first heard it and grateful that I was hearing about a couple of days afterwards, and that I’m not in a coffin,” she said, adding, “We have to keep it civil, and we have to keep the dialogue open.”Legal experts say the case raises questions about the limits of free speech. Attorney Michael Raheb said, “You have a right to free speech, but you can’t cross that threshold and actually threaten someone with harm.” He added, “The mention of AR-15. It didn’t say it’s a specific type of firearm which can potentially be converted to automatic. And you’re talking about large crowds, and so that language is designed to instill fear.”McClain was taken to the Lee County Jail following his arrest and later posted bond on Sunday.
