Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar faced a shocking attack on Tuesday when an audience member sprayed her with an unknown substance during a town hall event in north Minneapolis. The 55-year-old assailant, Anthony James Kazmierczak, used a syringe to launch the liquid, which reportedly had a sour chemical smell. Omar was unharmed and continued her speech, later posting on social media: “I’m ok. I’m a survivor, so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me. I don’t let bullies win.”
Omar, the first Somali-American elected to the U.S. Congress in 2019, has been a vocal critic of President Trump and his administration’s immigration policies, particularly in Minnesota, where federal enforcement has resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens in recent weeks. During the town hall, Omar called for the abolition of ICE and demanded the resignation or impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem over the recent fatal shootings.
The attack occurred shortly after Omar addressed these issues. As Kazmierczak was removed from the room, he reportedly said Omar was “pitting us against each other,” though his exact intent remains unclear. Minneapolis police immediately arrested him and charged him with third-degree assault. Forensic tests are underway to determine the substance used.
Despite the incident, Omar refused to cancel the town hall. She told the audience: “We will continue… we are Minnesota strong. We’re gonna keep talking. Just give me ten minutes. Please don’t let them have the show.” One attendee praised her courage, saying: “I respected her strength to stay and finish the town hall for the people.”
Local officials condemned the attack. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said: “Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk… This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in our city.”
The incident highlights the heightened tensions in Minnesota over immigration enforcement and Omar’s outspoken criticism of Trump. She remains a prominent figure in national politics, frequently targeted by the president, who has previously called her a “radical left lunatic” and suggested extreme punitive measures against her.
Omar’s steadfast response to the attack reinforces her message of resilience, demonstrating that she will not be silenced despite personal threats or attempts at intimidation.
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