Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., was hit with a drink over the weekend, marking the first instance of the British trend of throwing drinks at conservative politicians reaching the United States, BBC News reports.
Gaetz was hit with a clear plastic cup containing a red liquid as he left the Brew Ha Ha restaurant in Pensacola, Fla., on Saturday. Police arrested Amanda Leigh Kondrat’yev, 35, with battery for allegedly throwing the drink.
Kondrat’yev previously challenged Gaetz in the 2016 election, but eventually withdrew her candidacy before election day. In that race, the congressman challenged Kondrat’yev to a public debate after she filed a lawsuit against the city to force the removal of a Christian cross from a public park.
The incident mirrors the recent “milkshaking” trend of protestors throwing milkshakes at conservative politicians, particularly those on the far-right like anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, and Brexit Party head Nigel Farage.
“No, it was not a milkshake,” Pensacola police department public information officer Mike Wood told The Washington Post. “I can just tell you it was a red liquid, a Hawaiian Punch or something like that.”
“All people are invited to participate in our #OpenGaetz town hall events regardless of viewpoint,” the congressman’s office said in a statement. “If anyone assaults anyone else, they can expect to be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law to ensure the security of all law-abiding participants. We continue to express our deep gratitude to the brave law enforcement officials who always keep our events and our community safe.”
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