Pro-Trump conservative influencer Liz Benichou was physically attacked during a political event at the University of Michigan on Sunday. In videos circulating on social media a young woman first confronted online creator and commentator “The Older Millennial,” also known as Joseph Anthony Redden, who was sitting at a foldout table with signs that read “Is Islam evil?” and “Is Islam compatible with Western value?” The woman in the video approached the table asking “Where’s your permit?” and declaring that the set-up was “f****** stupid,” clapping in Redden’s face and shouting. The confrontation continued between the woman and onlookers, with several people commenting on her outfit, saying that “she couldn’t go out in public in Iran.
She’d have to cover up, she’s got too much skin showing to be in Iran.” The situation escalated when influencer Liz Benichou, who was scheduled to speak at an event on the day, said: “Am I wrong? If she walked around like this in Iran what would happen?” The young woman then launched herself at Benichou, who was knocked to the ground as onlookers shouted for police assistance. As a young man pulled the woman away, a police officer stepped in and arrested her on the ground before escorting her to a police vehicle where she continued shouting at Benichou.
Conservative activist group Liberty Under Fire USA released a statement after the incident on social media where they identified the arrested woman as a supporter of Abdul El-Sayed, though Newsweek has not yet been able to verify this. Benichou later released a statement on social media, saying she was “physically assaulted simply for showing up and exercising my First Amendment rights.” She added that, “Political violence has no place in the United States of America. I am incredibly grateful to the law enforcement officers who acted immediately to protect me.
I am now in a safe location receiving care and I am going to be OK. University of Michigan campus police told the Daily Mail that officers responded to the scene around 5 p.m. on Sunday, adding that: “Officers witnessed a University of Michigan student assault a woman not affiliated with the university.” Newsweek reached out to the University of Michigan, campus police and Liz Benichou via email for comment.
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