CODEPINK Activists Disrupt Rudy Giuliani and Senator Jeff Session’s Speeches to Call Out Trump’s Islamophobia

CLEVELAND, July 18, 2016 – CODEPINK National Director Alli McCracken and CODEPINK Coordinator Chelsea Byers both stood in defiance of Donald Trump’s xenophobia and racism Monday night. Brandishing banners bearing messages welcoming immigrants and loudly calling out the hateful rhetoric fueling Trump’s candidacy, McCracken first disrupted the speech of Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, followed shortly afterwards by Byers disrupting former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s remarks. Both were escorted from the arena by security.

“After a round of thunderous applause in response to an Islamophobic remark by Giuliani, I stood and held up my banner, which read ‘Refugees Welcome!’” said Byers. “I began to yell that our country welcomes refugees with open arms as the RNC attendees around me started chanting ‘USA! USA!’ and tried to rip my banner from my hands. They were unsuccessful, but RNC security quickly arrived and escorted me from the arena.”

"I spoke out during the RNC because the GOP's Islamophobia and racism have no place in our country, and especially not in the White House,” said McCracken. “We cannot stand silent as Trump and his supporters continue to spread hateful rhetoric that leads to violence and war. I want to live in a country that is based on diversity and compassion, not racism and hate."

Footage of McCracken’s disruption can be seen here and Byers can be viewed being escorted from the arena here. Both are available for interviews by contacting Alli McCracken at (860) 575-5692 or alli@codepink.org.

##