A Florida man wearing a hockey mask painted with a Confederate flag was arrested Friday after refusing police directions to remove the mask as he took part in a protest in support of keeping a statue of a Confederate soldier that was erected outside the county courthouse.

Ryan Hawks, 39, was collared in front of the Hernando County courthouse for wearing a mask or hood that concealed his identity.

According to police, Hawks “approached several law enforcement officers while wearing the mask and was advised of the law violation.” Upon being told a second time that he was breaking the law, the 6’, 240-pound Hawk reportedly replied, "You want me to remove the mask? Good luck with that."