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Medea Benjamin Dragged Off DNC Floor in Handcuffs For Unfurling “End the Occupation of Iraq” Banner

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As Teresa Heinz Kerry gave her prime-time address that never mentioned Iraq, Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin attemped to bring an anti-war message onto the floor of the convention. Moments later police were dragging her out of the Fleet Center. [includes rush transcript]

As Teresa Heinz Kerry spoke last night, on the floor of the convention, Medea Benjamin from Global Exchange and CodePink unfurled a pink colored banner that read “End the Occupation of Iraq.” That apparently was not one of the DNC-approved messages of the night because within moments of the banner being unfurled, police were called in to remove Medea Benjamin.

Benjamin was dragged off the convention floor and thrown out of the FleetCenter. She said that the DNC was asked whether they wanted her arrested and that they decided that would not look good.

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

AMY GOODMAN: As Teresa Heinz Kerry spoke last night on the floor of the convention, another woman, Medea Benjamin, from Global Exchange and Code Pink was speaking out. She unfurled a pink-colored banner that read “End the occupation of Iraq” that apparently was not one of the D.N.C.-approved messages of the night because within moments of the banner being unfurled, police were called in to remove her.

POLICE: Clear the aisles.

POLICE: Please clear the aisles.

MEDEA BENJAMIN: End the occupation! Bring the troops home! End the occupation! Bring the troops home! Where’s free speech?

AMY GOODMAN: Medea Benjamin dragged off the convention floor and thrown out of the Fleet Center. She said that the Democratic National Convention was asked whether they wanted her arrested and they decided that that would not look good.

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