What’s supposed to be a space for dialogue turned tense — and dangerous — in Minneapolis on Tuesday.
During a town hall hosted by Representative Ilhan Omar, an audience member suddenly sprayed an unknown liquid at her.
The audience member used a syringe. Shock rippled through the room. Omar? She didn’t flinch.
“I’m ok,” she later posted. “I’m a survivor… I don’t let bullies win.” And true to her word, she stayed at the podium and kept going.
Police say the liquid had a sour, chemical-like smell.
The suspect, 55-year-old Anthony James Kazmierczak, was quickly restrained and arrested.
He now faces third-degree assault charges. Investigators are still testing the substance.
For many in the room, Omar’s response stood out.
“I respected her courage,” attendee Alfred Flowers Jr told the BBC, noting she chose to finish the event despite pleas to shut it down.
Omar Defies Intimidation
Video shows staff shouting “make a hole” as they dragged the man out, shouting accusations that Omar was “pitting us against each other.”
The backdrop matters. The town hall focused on rising anger over immigration enforcement.
Two US citizens were fatally shot by federal agents this month.
Omar used the event to call for ICE to be abolished and for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign — moments before the attack.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the incident: “Violence and intimidation have no place here.”
Omar’s closing message to the crowd said it all: “Please don’t let them have the show.”
In a time of rising political tension, her refusal to step aside may be the loudest statement of all.
