During President Trump’s State of the Union address, police arrested a woman who refused to stop demonstrating, and a Democratic congressman was escorted out after displaying an anti-racist sign.
Democratic Congressman Removed After Displaying Sign
On Wednesday, February 25, as Republican Donald Trump approached the podium to deliver his State of the Union address, he was warmly greeted by his supporters. At one point, Representative Al Green from Texas’s 9th congressional district appeared in his path holding a sign reading “Black people are not monkey-shaped creatures.” This was a reference to a racist video Trump posted on Truth Social on February 5, which depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as monkeys using artificial intelligence. The material was removed after approximately 12 hours, though the U.S. president did not apologize for it.
Green explained to NBC News that “I wanted to make sure I delivered the message to him. That’s why I sat in the aisle seat so I could hand it to him personally.” He believed Trump’s facial expression indicated the president “understood the message.” However, the Democrat was soon escorted out. As staff led him toward the doors, Green waved the sign toward Republicans. Congressman Troy Nehls then attempted to grab it from him. Green was also removed during last year’s presidential address to Congress.
Woman Arrested for Demonstrating During Speech
During the address, an arrest also occurred. The Capitol Police informed CNN that at approximately 10:00 PM (4:00 AM in Poland), a woman began demonstrating. “The guest was instructed to sit but refused to comply with our lawful orders. Disrupting congressional proceedings and demonstrating in congressional buildings is illegal, so 43-year-old Aliya M. Rahman of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was arrested,” the police stated. According to journalists’ reports, earlier this year the woman had spoken to Democratic lawmakers about agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE. She has now been invited by Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
