Harriet McLeod
Reuters
November 10, 2011
(Reuters) – Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann was about 10 minutes into a foreign policy speech in South Carolina on Thursday when she was drowned out by the shouting of protesters.
About 30 people rose in unison and began shouting a scripted message during Bachmann’s address aboard the USS Yorktown, a World War Two aircraft carrier.
The group, which later identified itself as being part of Occupy Charleston, accused Bachmann of “dividing Americans” and promoting discrimination.
“You cater to the 1 percent,” they yelled.
Bachmann stopped speaking and was escorted from the stage by law enforcement officers. After about three minutes, the protesters shouted: “Have a pleasant day,” and marched out chanting “We are the 99 percent.”
“We’re Americans criticizing her. We’re just getting our voices heard,” said a young woman who wouldn’t give her name. “She’s getting her voice heard. Why can’t I have my voice heard?”
