Former President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, were hurried to their vehicle under an umbrella in Dublin on Tuesday after pro-Palestinian protesters threw milk cartons and other objects toward their security detail and motorcade. No one in the Biden party was hurt, and no member of the family was struck. The couple were on their way out of the college when protesters confronted them.
The couple had made a surprise visit to Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday, November 10. Their son Hunter Biden received the College Historical Society’s Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse during the visit, Trinity College said. The medal is the society’s award for an outstanding contribution to public discourse, and its presentation was the reason for the family’s stop at the college.
The confrontation came as the Bidens left Front Square, the college’s main courtyard. Protesters chanted “blood on your hands,” “Genocide Joe” and “shame on you” as the couple walked to their vehicle, NBC News reported. In the video, an aide holds a large black umbrella over the couple while agents surround them and move them quickly toward the car, and the shouting from the crowd can be heard throughout.
The video, recorded from inside the crowd, shows the couple’s party at the top of a ramp beside their car, the umbrella held over them as the shouting grows louder. Seconds later a milk carton bursts in the air in front of police officers a short distance away, and milk is left splashed across the wet cobblestones. Officers then grapple with protesters, and one woman is taken to the ground and restrained while their colleagues hold the crowd back. Officers can be heard ordering people to get back as the scuffles go on.
Irish police arrested three men, one of whom has been charged, NBC News reported. Early reports from the scene had said at least two people were arrested. Officers from the Gardaí, Ireland’s national police, pepper-sprayed protesters during the scuffles.
The Bidens were in their vehicle and away from the immediate scene without injury. The account above is based on reporting by NBC News and RTÉ, a statement from the Gardaí and a statement from Trinity College.
The video above was recorded by a bystander at the scene and posted online by Clash Report. Zark News is using a short excerpt of it for news reporting under fair use, with the source credited on screen.
Video: Clash Report
