Bernie Sanders’ Rally Interrupted By Protesters

At Bernie Sanders’ most recent rally at the Frank Ogawa Plaza on Monday, May 30th, a small group of protesters jumped up on the stage which forced the Secret Service to leap to the aid of the prospective Democratic candidate.

In his typical outspoken and resilient manner, Sanders was unfazed and attempted to continue on with his speech before being stopped by his Secret Service agents who tugged him from the podium. Each agitator was arrested and led away by law enforcement. A spokesperson for Bernie Sanders, Michael Briggs, commended the agents on their quick thinking: “[The conflict] was handled professionally by the Secret Service.”

Though, in the moment, the identities of those who stormed the Californian stage were unknown, a radical group advocating for the rights of animals claimed they were to blame for the confusion in a press release. The group, known as Direct Action Everywhere, asserted that the “activists do not protest at Bernie Sanders rallies in opposition to Sanders himself, but rather to pull Sanders in their direction … Sanders’ opponent Hillary Clinton recently released a campaign platform on animal issues, although it stops far short of what activists would like to see. Activists expect Bernie Sanders, the progressive candidate, to support more radical action to provide animals not just with improved conditions but with legal rights to be free from harm.”

Jane Sanders, the Vermont senator’s wife, also sang the praises of those brave men and their quick reaction time. “The Secret Service are fantastic. I mean, they are just unbelievable in terms of being aware and protecting [my husband]… So I’m very thankful for that. I think I heard it from breaking news and I called up … I said, ‘What’s going on?’ They said, ‘Everything’s fine.’ So there was only maybe 60 seconds of concern.”

This is by no means the first (or last) political disruption in the 2016 election. Each potential candidate faces their own backlash as they inch closer and closer towards the White House. Voters will continue to exercise their First Amendment rights, and will continue to rock the boat. The 2016 election has proved itself to be anything but boring – surely this is not the last Bernie Sanders sees of protest at his rallies!

Featured Image via Flickr/Phil Roeder