Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is assaulted by a protester during her first town hall meeting in her district of Minneapolis amid ongoing tension and protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The protester jumps out of his seat and charges the representative before reportedly throwing a substance on her. This came following her call on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign.
It's going to keep escalating. Wonder when this will mirror the Caning of Charles Sumner.
86 Comments
frustrated_phagocytosis@fedia.io · 124 pts · 197d
And what, she didn't immediately unload a clip into his back? That's the state sanctioned method for dealing with protestors now, right?
resipsaloquitur@lemmy.world · 62 pts · 197d
Because she’s braver than ICE Nazis.
otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 18 pts · 197d
NazICE®
The fash-maker
resipsaloquitur@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 197d
NOICE.
otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 197d
^poor Jay^
DaMummy@hilariouschaos.com · 1 pts · 196d
We're not really gonna acrynim them NICE, are we?
CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world · 50 pts · 197d
Except in this case, the protester actually got violent, unlike the people murdered by ICE.
anon_8675309@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 197d
Looked like she was about to stomp his ass though.
wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz · 11 pts · 197d
The sad thing is, if she had clobbered him, much as he would have deserved it, the right-wing media bubble would have hounded her for it, calling her violent.
Even as it is, that guy will probably make a million dollars on gofundme.
I hate this fucking country.
anon_8675309@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 196d
So true
I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 196d
I haven't seen a clip of the incident without people criticizing her for even looking like she was about throw hands. "She should have reacted with more decorum."
wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz · 3 pts · 196d
I'd like to see them react with decorum in the same situation. Anyone can preach about turning the other cheek, but when it's their turn to get slapped in the face suddenly it isn't so simple...
GladiusB@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 196d
Federal sanctioned. State is still sending you to Wisconsin.
BillyClark@piefed.social · 69 pts · 197d
For people who didn't watch the video, she says, "Kristi Noem must resign or face impeachment," and the guy jumps up and rushes the stage.
It sounded sort of like he was saying that Rep. Ilhan Omar should resign or something. But what a weird trigger. You got to wonder what kind of a loser would jump up to defend Noem.
Or maybe he wasn't defending Noem, and was just waiting for Rep. Ilhan Omar to say something that he could shout back at her. The most childish and mindless of retorts.
I can't see how this guy could possibly be anything but a total loser. He turns violent presumably in response to propaganda.
Asafum@lemmy.world · 40 pts · 197d
Possibly this, if be sprayed something on her then he came prepared to do just that and was waiting for the moment to jump.
TwodogsFighting@lemdro.id · 8 pts · 197d
No wonder needed. Just another nazi.
buddascrayon@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 196d
The kind that watches Newsmax. They're carefully programming these crazies to radicalize them into violence against anybody who speaks against Trump or ICE or Noem or anybody in the nazi administration.
cannedtuna@lemmy.world · 47 pts · 197d
Really hope whatever the fuck he sprayed her with was nothing dangerous
BillyClark@piefed.social · 35 pts · 197d
That woman telling her to go get checked immediately was right. It's unlikely, but people have been killed like this before.
UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world · 41 pts · 197d
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Kim_Jong-nam
thallamabond@lemmy.world · 28 pts · 197d
This part is wild.
AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 197d
Yeah... but on the other hand I can see this becoming a common tactic to prevent people from speaking: spray them with water so they have to leave the event to get checked out, while the perpetrator faces relatively light charges because it wasn’t actually dangerous.
citizensongbird@lemmy.world · 18 pts · 197d
Wouldn't work. Bring a fake bomb strapped to your chest to a town hall and you don't get a lighter sentence just because it wasn't a real bomb. Pretend terrorism is treated the same as real terrorism.
AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 197d
Because that’s an explicit threat. Spraying water is—at least on the face of it—a step below throwing rotten fruit or creme pies or fake blood: you can always claim it was meant to be symbolic.
Edit for clarification: The point is, you can deliberately make it as non-threatening as possible, and it may be obvious to everyone that it’s not a threat—but if there’s a protocol to always check anyway, you’re shutting the speaker down by exploiting the protocol rather than the threat.
citizensongbird@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 197d
Ah, I see. I didn't realize the water was squirted out of a plastic flower on the attacker's lapel.
But joking aside, no court would ever interpret the act "on the face of it." Rotten fruit, pie in the face, fake blood, you're right, those have lots of historical precedent as symbolic acts of protest. "Mystery fluid flung at someone's face" has historical precedent too, but not so symbolic.
I understand what you're trying to say, but you're not thinking like a judge. If you were a judge, would you really want an article in a law book to describe you as the one who thought it was a good idea to greenlight the throwing of mysterious fluids at politicians' faces as an act of protest?
ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de · 5 pts · 197d
I'd shut up and take the L on this one. You're failing to understand and it's not getting better you.
Serinus@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 197d
Let's not jump to conclusions. That doesn't appear to be what happened here.
AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 197d
I’m not talking about this event in particular, I’m talking about the assumptions you have to make when responding to events like this. Because your response will influence what others do in the future.
daannii@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 197d
It looked like a gel but that's just a best guess.
I gave pepper spray that's a gel.
Maybe that's what it was. Maybe not.
prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 197d
If it was pepper spray, people in the room would have reacted even if it hadn't hit them.
daannii@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 196d
Well the gel kind is different. It doesn't spread. But other people are saying it was urine in a syringe. Maybe pig urine.
I think any liquid shot out of a syringe could look like a gel . So I'm probably wrong.
ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world · 35 pts · 197d
Is it me, or did that guy look drunk as a skunk?
pelespirit@sh.itjust.works · 38 pts · 197d
She was ready to throw down, lol. He might have picked the wrong one.
in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social · 23 pts · 197d
Honestly that dude is lucky security got to him first, she was gonna whoop his stupid ass.
Madison420@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 197d
She had a pen in that hand, she was gonna shank his face which seems like a pretty appropriate response.
in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social · 23 pts · 197d
You can hear it in the video "I don't know what it is but it smells terrible", I bet it was fart spray or some bullshit she got sprayed with. Love that she still made the statement and said her piece.
yonderbarn@lazysoci.al · 4 pts · 197d
That was him on a good day
ZoteTheMighty@lemmy.zip · 25 pts · 197d
Imagine standing up in the middle of a town hall ready to attack a state representative...because they called for Kristi Norm to resign... Surely there are better fights worth having.
Sunflier@lemmy.world · 19 pts · 197d
Not for the cultists. Their divine leader will fix things for them . . . any second now . . ..
in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social · 4 pts · 197d
Stochastic terrorism be like that
RizzRustbolt@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 197d
It wasn't the call for resignation.
Dude's been cookimg for awhile.
wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz · 4 pts · 197d
"bUt ThE lEfT iS sO vIoLeNt!!1!1!"
myfunnyaccountname@lemmy.zip · 22 pts · 197d
Must be one of those peaceful nonviolent maga protesters.
carlossurf@lemmy.ca · 21 pts · 197d
And she bravely went straight towards him, shes a fighter
brognak@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 5 pts · 197d
There's a very good single frame of her, elbow cocked back and ready to swing at him.
Had it been a better angle would have been an even better FIGHT image, since she's actually ready to throw down and Fuckface was running away.
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net · 19 pts · 197d
Time to get better security. It's weird that in the time of political assassinations (Kirk, attempt at Trump) you have representatives standing meters away from random people without any cover. If a guy sitting in the public can get to her faster than her security she has no security. Maybe it wasn't necessary 10 years ago but today it's just common sense.
in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social · 19 pts · 197d
Standing in front of your constituents and being vulnerable sends a much stronger message than hiding behind security. Congressperson Omar knows exactly how that projects a message of accessibility and strength. Watch in the beginning seconds of the video, she's the first to react and has to be held back from the assailant. She then tells her own security that she needs 10 more minutes to finish her speech before she goes to get checked out.
She's not behind a pane of bullet proof glass, she is amongst her people. She knows exactly what she's doing.
hovercat@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 13 pts · 197d
Yup, there's a reason Noem and all the other monsters in the admin have had to scuttle and hide on military bases. They're weak and pathetic, and know people fucking despise them.
in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social · 3 pts · 197d
If you are the voice of your people you must trust the people.
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net · 0 pts · 197d
Personally I think it would be stupid to die for the sake of optics. She's is targeted by Trump all the time so it was a matter of time before some MAGA nutcase tries something. She doesn't need a bulletproof glass but I think her security should be closer to her than the public. If this guy had a knife she could be dead now. But I get your point. If she thinks having her security closer make her look weak and she's willing to risk her life for a better PR it's her choice.
Still, her security letting some shady guy sit in a front row (doesn't look like someone who will vote for her) doesn't look good. It looks like they are not ready to handle real attack. Let's hope they won't have to.
in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social · 2 pts · 197d
As is your right to your opinion but I trust Ilhan Omar to know her business and act accordingly.
Professorozone@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 197d
Yeah, we should pay for more security for POLITICIANS.
ExLisper@lemmy.curiana.net · 3 pts · 197d
Who's we?
Professorozone@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 196d
Those of us paying for security. Not everyone lives outside of the US.
dreadbeef@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 197d
in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social · 18 pts · 197d
Shiiiiiiiiiiit somebody come get unc
Sunflier@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 197d
Unc? Could you clarify for the kids in the back?
cannedtuna@lemmy.world · 26 pts · 197d
He means uncle, as in someone come get your crazy ass racist uncle and take his ass home
gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 197d
Yeah, but this is a weird usage of that term. Normally it's for old dudes who are maybe a bit corny (because old) but basically good dudes. Like, FD Signifier's fans call him unc all the time.
cannedtuna@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 197d
Agreed. The use of unc downplays his actions and what this guy did was serious. I hope they figure out what the hell was in that syringe soon.
in_my_honest_opinion@piefed.social · 13 pts · 197d
Unc:
A creepy, misbehaving, often drunk, uncle vibe having ne'er do well.
or
A close relative that is feeling themselves a little too much at the family gathering.
It really depends on context. The asshole that got balled up like used tissue after assaulting Congresswoman Omar was stumbling and smiling, then sprayed her with some fart spray or other childish prank. Another commenter called the assailant drunk. I just went with it.
borari@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 10 pts · 197d
Since when does unc have a negative connotation?
UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 197d
Since GenA slang made it a thing.
borari@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 8 pts · 197d
Nah bruh. The way it’s used is just you old and out of touch with culture now you old. It has nothing to do with creepy drunk uncles jfc.
Gork@sopuli.xyz · 5 pts · 197d
I'm getting too old for all of this lol
CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 197d
I've been hearing The Professional Left and others using it in phrases like "Crazy Uncle Liberty", which has the same connotation - even fairly normal families always seem to have the same unmarried/divorced uncle that loves to spew all the latest Faux News Bullshit Mountain talking points and generally making those around them miserable.
Crazy Uncle Liberty also is a phrase used for dipshits screeching on hate radio/"patriot radio", or running a newsletter, or trying to recruit you into the John Birch Society, the person acting as the usual guy at the end of the bar on comment sections, and so on...
borari@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 197d
Bruh what the absolute fuck. Unc is just like anyone older than like 25 now. Idk wtf crazy uncle liberty is, and if that’s a thing alright cool. But unc has nothing to do with whatever all that is.
wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz · -4 pts · 197d
Since any word referring to the male gender gets interpreted in the creepiest, most damning and uncharitable way imaginable.
Great time to be alive as a man, we're really smashing the patriarchy /s
borari@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 196d
Wow bro they let you bail out after spraying shit on Rep. Omar that quickly?
For real though thats quite a toxic worldview. I’m sorry you’re hurting in whatever way drove you to think like that.
wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz · -3 pts · 196d
The comment chain clearly evolved between the OP and my comment. Someone asked when "unc" got such a negative connotation after another commenter described it in quite despicable terms.
My comment was on the nature of using the word "unc" in such a derogatory way, when lots of people use it as a term of endearment or at least as a less-harsh way of calling someone old/out-of-touch.
What I said had nothing to do with the guy in the video. That dude's an asshole and should rot in prison for assaulting a member of congress. I even commented elsewhere that he would have deserved it if she clobbered him.
Rage at somebody else.
borari@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 196d
I’m clearly not the one raging about anything rn.
eldoom@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 197d
I believe that the unc slang that the kids are using these days is actually uncool abbreviated. Regardless of it's resemblance to uncle.
grumpo_potamus@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 197d
Disgusting
CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 197d
So annoying that the video will not play over VPN.
Go figure, though: the fucking ads play just fine, though.
kandoh@reddthat.com · 5 pts · 197d
More escalation
bdonvr@thelemmy.club · 4 pts · 197d
What an absolutely weak half assed attempt to do nothing. Looked pathetic.
neuracnu@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 197d
Video is here: https://files.catbox.moe/1l4r23.mp4
boolean_sledgehammer@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 196d
I don't like that she stopped just short of clocking that unfuckable turd. She should have let him have it. Instant reelection.
echolalia@lemmy.ml · 0 pts · 197d
jonnylyy@discuss.tchncs.de · -4 pts · 197d
You Americans need to come up with a better abbreviation for Representative. I always reading it like Republican and get so confused when the people talked about did something against Republicans...
tinfoilhat@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 196d
We usually just abbreviate Republican as "Nazi". It's way fewer characters.
prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 197d
Republican isn't abbreviated as "rep" though.
MedicPigBabySaver@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 197d
R or (R) v. Rep.
Not difficult to grasp.