Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein found herself in the midst of controversy after attending a pro-Palestinian protest at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where she was subsequently charged with assaulting a police officer. Stein expressed shock at the charge, stating that it was a frightening experience for her.
Although her campaign spokesperson initially denied awareness of any charges, Stein recounted her ordeal to a local news station following her release from several hours of detention along with 99 others who were arrested.
Stein claimed she was invited by students at the university to join the demonstration, which was part of a series of protests across American campuses against Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusations of antisemitism, and clashes with law enforcement. In a pre-arrest video she posted on social media, Stein expressed solidarity with the students and their cause, emphasizing the importance of standing up for democracy, human rights, and against genocide. She also shared images of herself and her staff linking arms with student protesters.
Jill Stein (Credits: Getty Images)
The protest turned contentious, with a video circulating on social media showing a confrontation between protesters, including Stein, and police officers. According to Washington University, 100 individuals, including students and university employees, were arrested for refusing to leave the area after multiple requests. Some face charges of trespassing, resisting arrest, and assault, including injuries sustained by three police officers.
Stein criticized the university’s handling of the situation, labeling it a violation of freedom of speech and emphasizing the need for debate and dialogue on critical issues. She mentioned her presence in Missouri to collect signatures for her 2024 presidential ballot candidacy, advocating for a pro-worker, anti-war, climate action agenda.
Stein positioned herself as an alternative to the mainstream candidates, denouncing what she called the imposition of “zombie candidates” like President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, both of whom she referred to as out-of-touch with the desires of the American people.
During a subsequent visit to Columbia, Missouri, Stein addressed her arrest and reiterated her support for the protest, characterizing it as a peaceful community event disrupted by the intervention of riot police. She emphasized the importance of such gatherings and highlighted issues like healthcare and climate change alongside her campaign platform.
