Outside the debate, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War led a demonstration at the Hofstra University gates. At least fifteen people were arrested, including five IVAW members. Emily Forman of I-Witness Video captured footage of police on horseback attacking the crowd. Police horses trampled at least one veteran, Nick Morgan, who lay on the ground nearly unconscious in a pool of blood. Morgan served in Iraq for about a year. His condition is unknown. Liam Madden of Iraq Veterans Against the War described the crackdown.

Liam Madden: “The police are doing what I did when I was in Iraq, just following their orders instead of their conscience. And I think that’s a big problem. And I just saw a veteran get his face stepped on by a horse, because the police, out of nowhere, just charged forward these giant animals, and they have no concern for the health and welfare of the people they’re supposed to be serving and protecting.”