Wisconsin GOP rep accuses anti-Israel protester of assaulting him outside RNC
US Rep. Derrick Van Orden has claimed he was assaulted outside the Republican National Convention by a female anti-Israel protester who was quickly arrested over the alleged altercation.
The ordeal allegedly unfolded outside the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee as Van Orden (R-Wis.) and a slew of others were lining up to enter an RNC-related breakfast Tuesday morning, the Republican congressman and cops said.
Cellphone video taken just moments after the alleged interaction showed Van Orden, 54, accusing the protester, who is a member of the liberal activist group Code Pink, of assaulting him.
“You just assaulted a member of Congress, yes you did,” he could be heard saying. “That’s what that is. You just assaulted a member of Congress.”
The clip, which doesn’t show what unfolded in the lead-up, captured the woman — only identified as Nour — surrounded by several cops before being whisked away.
“While standing in line to enter an event at the RNC today, I was assaulted by what appeared to be a member of the pro-Hamas group CODEPINK. A nearby police officer witnessed this assault and I understand they have been arrested,” Van Orden later said in a statement posted on X.
“This appears to be an incident of political violence and I will never tolerate this. Regardless of the severity of the violence, political violence is political violence.”
Code Pink — a self-described grassroots feminist organization notorious for causing disruptions at congressional hearings — vehemently denied the congressman’s version of events, insisting that the protester was wrongfully cuffed and hauled away.
“While peacefully waiting in line to enter the event, Nour, a visibly Palestinian woman, was intentionally bumped into by this bald, white member of Congress while he tried to shove past her,” the group’s co-founder, Medea Benjamin, said in a statement.
“Despite not reacting to this, Nour was falsely accused of ‘assault’.”
Police said the 24-year-old woman was taken into custody after allegedly battering the victim, WISN reported.
The victim suffered minor injuries but refused medical treatment, the cops added.
“The suspect was taken into custody and charges will be reviewed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office,” a police spokesperson said.
The Post reached out to cops for further details but didn’t hear back immediately.
