A tense moment inside the United States Senate quickly turned physical when Marine veteran Brian McGinnis, protesting the Iran conflict, was dragged from a hearing room.
McGinnis shouted that 'no one wants to fight for Israel' before United States Capitol Police intervened and removed him from the chamber. Video of the confrontation soon spread across social media and sparked fierce debate about free speech, protest and the growing anger surrounding the war with Iran.
The incident happened during a Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittee hearing. Witnesses said the protest itself lasted only a few seconds, but what followed has raised much bigger questions about dissent, security and the political mood in Washington, DC.
Senator Sheehy joined Capitol Police in lifting up and ejecting anti war protestor Brian McGinnis from a SASC subcommittee hearing. McGinnis is a Green Party candidate running for Senate in N.C. An antiwar activist filmed the video below:pic.twitter.com/0dVA0ORWXQ
The confrontation began when McGinnis interrupted the proceedings inside the hearing room.
TheMarine veteran, who is running for the North Carolina Senate under the Green Partyof the United States, stood up and shouted criticism of US involvement in the conflict with Iran,WION Newsreported. His remarks immediately caught the attention of security staff.
'America does not want to fight this war for Israel,' McGinnis yelled as he was violently dragged through the hall by the police. 'America does not want to send its sons and daughters to war for Israel! No one wants to fight for Israel!'
Capitol Police moved quickly to remove him from the room. Video footage later showed officers pulling him toward the exit as the disruption unfolded in front of lawmakers and staff.
US Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana also became involved during the struggle. Footage appears to show the senator assisting officers as they pushed McGinnis toward the door.
The scene grew chaotic as McGinnis resisted removal and was physically dragged from the chamber.
Source: International Business Times UK
