LOS ANGELES – Former Vice President Joe Biden was just a few words in his Super Tuesday speech when he suddenly had an unexpected visitor to the platform – a protester.
A woman attempted to climb onto the riser from behind Biden and his wife Jill before the woman was grabbed and pulled down. She was on the riser long enough, however, to wave a sign just as Biden launched into his remarks and a battery of cameras was formed on him.
The crowd booed the protester and expressed relief when the woman was abducted.
A second woman then jumped on stage and Jill Biden pushed her away. Biden’s senior advisor, Symone Sanders, grabbed her with one arm and pulled the protester out of the scene with the help of another staff member as the protester signaled to her.
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The two protesters displayed signs saying “LEAVE THE DAIRY” and appeared to be members of the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere, which protested several events by Democratic candidates during the main season.
Biden made no mention of the protester and picked up where he left off with his remarks.
He also lingered after his speech, mingling with a group of supporters on the outdoor basketball court in the Baldwin Hills district of Los Angeles.
Later that evening, Symone Sanders tweeted about the incident with a brief comment: “I broke a nail. #SuperTuesday.”
Biden campaign assistant secretary for the national press Matt Hill expressed his gratitude by tweeting: “But yah saved @JoeBiden & @DrBiden!”