By Blessing Nweke
Democratic Rep. Al Green was ejected from the chamber Tuesday night during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address after staging a protest on the House floor, marking the second consecutive year he has been removed while Trump addressed Congress.
Green, who represents Texas, stood and waved a sign reading “Black People Aren’t Apes,” an apparent response to a social media video Trump shared earlier this month that depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes. A staff member escorted Green out minutes into the speech as he continued holding the sign toward Republican lawmakers. Rep. Troy Nehls briefly attempted to grab it.
Speaking with reporters afterward, Green said Trump “got the message,” adding that public protest is sometimes necessary. He invoked civil rights figures Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, noting they faced consequences for taking stands.
Green said this year’s protest was deliberate, unlike last year’s removal, when he stood and shook his cane during Trump’s joint address to Congress. “The first time it was spontaneity,” he said. “This time it was with intentionality.”
A longtime critic of Trump and vocal supporter of impeachment efforts dating back to Trump’s previous term, Green now faces a competitive Democratic primary in Texas’ newly drawn 18th Congressional District, which includes Houston. He is running against Rep. Christian Menefee, who won a special election following the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner.
Trump later removed the video that sparked backlash and said he condemned its racist elements, though he did not issue a formal apology. The Democratic primary is scheduled for March 3.
Original article
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