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Medea Benjamin Dragged off RNC Floor for Unfurling “Pro-Life: Stop the Killing of Iraq” Banner

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Peace activist and Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin was kicked off the floor of the Republican convention after she unfurled a pink banner that read “Pro-Life: Stop the Killing in Iraq.” [includes rush transcript]

During Schwarzenegger’s address, peace activist and Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin was on the floor of the convention. As she was standing less than 20 feet away from Vice President Dick Cheney, she unfurled a pink banner that read “Pro-Life: Stop the Killing in Iraq.” Security officials quickly approached her and told her to put it away. Medea responded by saying it was a pro-life banner. Minutes later, a Secret Service man came up and asked for her press credentials. She stalled for a few minutes cheering Schwarzenegger along with the Republican crowd.

She was soon surrounded by more security officials. When she realized she was being escorted off the convention floor. Medea Benjamin turned to Vice President Dick Cheney who was sitting 20 feet away and repeatedly yelled “Stop the killing in Iraq.” Secret service members carried her upside down off the convention floor.

  • Medea Benjamin, inside Madison Square Garden on August 31, 2004.

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Transcript
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: During [Governor Schwarzenegger’s] address, peace activist and Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin was on the floor of the convention. She was standing less than 20 feet from Vice President Dick Cheney. She unfurled a pink banner that read “Pro-Life: Stop the killing in Iraq.” Security officials quickly approached her, told her to put it away. Medea responded by saying it was a pro-life banner. Soon, secret service came up and asked her for her credentials. She stalled for a few minutes cheering Schwarzenegger along with the republican crowd. She was soon surrounded by security. As she realized she was being taken away, Medea Benjamin started to shout at Vice President Dick Cheney seated with his wife and Rudolph Giuliani and his wife just feet away.

MEDEA BENJAMIN: Mr. Cheney, stop the killing in Iraq! Mr. Cheney, stop the killing in Iraq! Mr. Cheney, how much money did you make on the war? Mr. Cheney, how much money did you make on the war? Stop the killing in Iraq! Stop the killing in Iraq! Stop the killing in Iraq! Stop the killing in Iraq!

AMY GOODMAN: Peace activist Medea Benjamin being carried off the convention floor last night as California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was speaking at the podium. She was carried down a set of stairs head first as she held her banner over her body.

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