Protester injured at Senate hearing involving US senator

Republican Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana became involved in an incident in which an anti-war protester was injured. The senator later said he had tried to assist police officers who were removing the man from the meeting room.

The incident occurred during a meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee at the US Capitol in Washington. The protester, Brian McGinnis, a US Marine Corps veteran in full dress uniform, interrupted the session to protest against joint US–Israeli air strikes on Iran.

When three Capitol Police officers attempted to remove him from the hall, McGinnis resisted, shouting ‘Nobody wants to fight for Israel’ and ‘Free Palestine’.

Sheehy left his seat and helped officers escort the protester out of the room. During the struggle, McGinnis’ arm appeared to become trapped in a door and was injured.

Capitol Police later said he had probably caused the injury himself when he placed his hand in the door in an attempt to prevent his removal. McGinnis was detained after receiving medical treatment and faces three charges: assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and unauthorised demonstration.

(est)