LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Karlin Martinez, a Las Vegas-based content creator known online as ItsMzToonz, was arrested Wednesday night during a downtown protest.
Martinez was live-streaming the event on TikTok around midnight when officers took her into custody. She faces an unlawful assembly charge, which in Nevada applies when two or more people gather intending to commit an unlawful act and then disperse.
Martinez’s attorney, Stephen Stubbs, stated that no prior warning was given to the group before the arrest. “The officers were already packing up and walking away from the protest area — the event was over,” Stubbs said.
A video from Martinez’s livestream captured a Las Vegas Metro Police officer questioning the group, asking, “Enjoying yourself?” and “Nothing better to do?”
Stubbs described the officer’s tone as disrespectful and aggressive. At one point, someone nearby urged the officers to “Honor your oath,” to which Martinez responded, “No!”
During the video, Martinez can be heard saying, “I’m just watching, I didn’t do nothing, I swear I’m not resisting,” as officers handcuffed her.
Martinez expressed frustration that her arrest paperwork listed her citizenship as “unknown” despite presenting valid ID, which her lawyer says could risk ICE involvement. “That’s one of the most messed-up parts of this entire thing,” Stubbs remarked.
Martinez believes her arrest was motivated by racial profiling. “I feel like I was arrested because of the way I look. I’m brown,” she said. “I’m a businesswoman. Don’t judge someone by their appearance.”
The Las Vegas Metro Police Department confirmed the incident is under review by its Internal Affairs Bureau.
Martinez is scheduled for arraignment in July. Despite the arrest, she remained active in protests and even helped distribute water at a recent downtown demonstration.