‘Black people aren’t apes!’ US lawmaker Al Green escorted out for protest during Donald Trump’s speech

Democratic Rep Al Green was ejected from the House chamber Tuesday night (US local time) during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address after holding up a sign reading “Black people aren’t apes!”, referencing a racist video of the Obamas posted on Trump’s social media account.The footage, posted and then deleted on Trump’s Truth Social account earlier this month, showed former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, the first Black president and first lady in US history, depicted as monkeys, sparking outrage across the US political spectrum.

The White House removed the video, and Trump said a staffer posted it. Trump refused to apologise for the vieo.Green, a veteran congressman from Texas who is Black, stood up as Trump arrived to address the joint session of Congress, waving the protest sign. As Trump walked down the aisle, Green tried to wave it toward him, but Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise blocked the effort, and someone in the crowd appeared to try to grab it.Green held his ground and was still displaying the sign as Trump began his prime-time speech. Minutes later, a staff member escorted him from the chamber amid chants of “USA! USA! USA!” As he was led toward the door, he continued waving the sign toward the Republican side, where Texas Republican Rep. Troy Nehls tried to snatch it. Following his removal, CNN quoted Green as saying, “I wanted the president to see it and he saw it. I told him Black people are not apes.”Green was also removed during Trump’s joint address to Congress last year after standing, shaking his cane and shouting at the president at the start of the speech, drawing jeers from Republicans before aides escorted him out as Trump looked on. During the campaign, Green had highlighted his expulsion from Trump’s joint address to Congress last year, saying in a recent ad, “When I stood up, it wasn’t for attention. It was because some things are worth standing for.”