Protester arrested after interrupting controversial staging of ‘Julius Caesar’ with Trump look-alike

June 17, 2017 National News
061717_thinkstock_theater

iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Two protesters interrupted a performance in New York City’s Central Park Friday night of “Julius Caesar,” in which the role of the Roman dictator is played by a President Trump look-alike who is fatally stabbed during a bloody scene.

 


A woman who later identified herself on social media as Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist, stormed the stage following the production’s assassination scene, shouting, “Stop the normalization of political violence against the right! This is unacceptable! You cannot promote this type of violence against Donald Trump!”

According to multiple videos of the incident posted to social media — including one by Loomer — a theater staff member then said over a loudspeaker, “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re going to pause. Security, please.”

Loomer was then escorted off the stage by security personnel, as she shouted, “Shame on Kathy Griffin and shame on all of you for promoting political violence against Donald Trump!”

As Loomer shouted, audience members booed and yelled, “Get off the stage!”

As Loomer was led away, another protester who was seated in the audience — identified as right-wing activist Jack Posobiec — stood up and shouted, “The blood of Steve Scalise is on your hands,” adding that Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels “would be proud.”

Posobiec — who also tweeted a video of his outburst — was led away by security out of Central Park’s open-air Delacorte Theater.

Loomer was arrested, but Posobiec was not.

The NYPD confirmed to ABC News that around 9:45 p.m., a 24-year-old female was arrested and taken into custody after jumping on stage. She was charged with criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct.

It is unclear whether Loomer has a lawyer.

 

She tweeted after midnight, “I’m out of jail, but I’m not apologetic. Thanks to everyone who is supporting me & condemning political violence.”

The Rebel, a conservative Canadian-based website Loomer works for, also tweeted that Loomer had been released from jail. Earlier in the evening, The Rebel‘s Ezra Levant tweeted, “Laura Loomer called me from jail. We have dispatched a lawyer to Central Park precinct.”