A Republican Party volunteer was sexually assaulted Friday night at the Minnesota State Fair while others were allegedly harassed and verbally berated.
The sexual assault occurred late Friday evening while Republican staffers were closing down their booth at the fair. Police confirmed with both The Star Tribune and KSTP that the altercation happened, and said they are still trying to identify the suspect.
A police spokeswoman said the staffer was “groped over the clothes” after a “discussion about politics.” Both the victim and suspect were female.
Minnesota Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan sent an email to party leaders to express her “sadness and disappointment.”
“At the Minnesota State Fair on Friday night, one of our volunteers was sexually assaulted by Democrats who felt emboldened enough to conduct such an egregious act,” she said. “Additionally, as two of our staffers and I were closing up the booth (all of us are young women), we were harassed and faced inappropriate behavior from more Democrats.”
“The Minnesota State Fair is supposed to be a place where we can all come together as Minnesotans to enjoy great food, entertainment, fun and celebrate the waning days of summer. It’s sad that the left has become so out of control, but moreover, it’s actually very scary,” she continued.
Carnahan said she has taken the “appropriate steps” to ensure the Republican Party booth is a “safe and secure place” for the remainder of the fair.
“The Democrats are angry and mad because they know they are losing with each passing day,” she said. “Thank you for all you do and never forget it is the left, not us, that is the party of hate. They hate our president more than they love our country or the people in it. If you disagree with the left, you are enemy #1. We will keep fighting the good fight together and show them that good always prevails.”
In response to a tweet from Carnahan about the matter, Rob Barrett, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, expressed his disbelief with the anger directed at Republicans at the fair.
“The amount of anger, middle fingers, f-words and general yelling was beyond belief at the GOP booth today. I wonder if the DFL booth gets the same treatment. I sure hope not,” he wrote.
The amount of anger, middle fingers, f-words and general yelling was beyond belief at the GOP booth today. I wonder if the DFL booth gets the same treatment. (I sure hope not) #four32
— WeAreMN (@WeAreMN_) August 24, 2019
DFL Chairman Ken Martin hasn’t commented on the situation.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of Battleground State News, The Ohio Star, and The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Minnesota State Fair” by Runner1928. CC BY-SA 4.0.
[…] the clothes” after a “discussion about politics.” Both the victim and suspect were female, as The Minnesota Sun […]
[…] the clothes” after a “discussion about politics.” Both the victim and suspect were female, as The Minnesota Sun […]