Activists with the leftist group Climate Defiance were thrown off the stage in a tumbled heap while disrupting an event honoring Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. There are no reports of arrests or injuries.
Murkowski was being honored by the Bryce Harlow Foundation at an event held at the Marriott Marquis hotel in downtown D.C. near the convention center. Bryce Harlow was a Republican presidential advisor, Congressional staffer and lobbyist.
Video posted by Climate Defiance shows several activists holding a banner being bull-rushed in a tumble off the stage by security and what appears to be organizers. A woman in a black dress who seems to be Murkowski moves away from the mob to a far corner of the small stage.
The video was posted with this commentary, “BREAKING: We just shut down a gala honoring U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski. Murkowski is a murderer. She incinerates us to enrich her cronies. As Chevron’s top lobbyist gave her an award, we stepped in and stopped the ceremony. Respect us or expect us.”
BREAKING: We just shut down a gala honoring U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski. Murkowski is a murderer. She incinerates us to enrich her cronies. As Chevron’s top lobbyist gave her an award, we stepped in and stopped the ceremony. Respect us or expect us. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/Q72mHerpdg
— Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) April 18, 2024
The group posted childish, hysterical statements explaining why it protested Murkowski:
Murkowski played a lead role in persuading Biden to approve the Willow Project. This monstrosity will transport 200,000 barrels of oil every single day. This is hideous. This is cruel and barbaric beyond description. (3/5)
— Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) April 18, 2024
Murkowski claims to support climate legislation, but refused to step in and pass Build Back Better as Joe Manchin held the bill hostage for months. How does this woman sleep at night? How does she live with herself? Is there no limit to her depravity? Is there no limit?
(5/5)— Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) April 18, 2024
Climate Defiance is very aggressive in their protests as video the group posted of a protest last month of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) shows:
BREAKING: we just called Joe Manchin a sick fuck. We humiliated him in front of a herd of Harvard elites. He squared up. We held firm. Barbaric murderer, hideous fiend, he torches humanity and laughs. pic.twitter.com/1ajrQsKnbJ
— Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) March 1, 2024
Rolling Stone praised the group:
Can confirm pic.twitter.com/NBtjUzJXUF
— Climate Defiance (@ClimateDefiance) April 16, 2024
The awards ceremony was announced months ago, giving protesters plenty of time to organize.
Mark your calendars for the 43rd Bryce Harlow Foundation Annual Awards dinner on April 17, 2024 at the Marriott Marquis! We’re honoring Sen. Lisa Murkowski @lisamurkowski and Dan Tate, the Co-Founder of Forbes Tate Partners @forbestate. Learn more at https://t.co/x5rEj2x2eg
— Bryce Harlow Fdtn. (@BryceHarlow) December 21, 2023
The announcement for the award:
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) was selected to receive the prestigious Bryce Harlow Award, which honors an elected official whose career is built on championing the principles of integrity, dedication and professionalism — echoing the work and life of the late Bryce Harlow. Murkowski is Alaska’s senior U.S. Senator, is a third generation Alaskan proudly serving as the first Alaskan born senator. She was appointed in 2002, elected to a full six-year term in 2004, re-elected in 2010 in a historic write-in campaign, re-elected in 2016 and re-elected for another six-year term in 2022. Murkowski is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is Ranking Member of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee, member of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. Known for her ability to work collaboratively and across the aisle to reach common sense solutions, Murkowski is a leader on energy and public lands issues, recognizing that sound national policy will promote job creation and economic growth, and higher standards of living and greater global stability. She holds both an Economics Degree from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor from Willamette College of Law. Prior to serving in Congress, Murkowski was a commercial law attorney in Alaska Murkowski was born in Ketchikan and raised in towns across the state, including Wrangell, Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. She is married to Verne Martell and they have two grown sons.
