posted on October 7, 2003 03:03:08 PM new
Gubernatorial Candidate Roughed up At Arnold Rally
Gubernatorial candidate Georgy Russell was pushed, shoved, hit and kicked yesterday by supporters of Arnold Schwarzenegger at a rally in Pleasanton CA. She was repeatedly called a "#*!@" and one of the Arnold Supporters wrote on her clothing with a permanent marking pen. The felonious abusers, who claimed to be provoked by remarks from Russell, were near equal numbers of men and women and no one during the incident came to Russell's aid. Schwarzeneggar and his wife Maria Shriver witnessed the attack and neither said or did anything to stop the abuse.
Russell, while disgusted with the behavior, thinks Arnold and his supporters deserve each other. "Some of Arnold's supporters apparently do not hesitate when it comes to using violence to accomplish their goals. It's not surprising that they support and defend a candidate who has manifested poor judgment and aggressive behavior most of his adult life. The behavior exhibited by Arnold's supporters is not simply an aberration, it is an MO that has it's roots at the top; it is reminiscent of the behavior of the thugs that were bussed in by Republicans during the Florida recount to perform much the same role as the bullies of yesterday and while that is no surprise to me I am nonetheless sickened by it all. This bully mentality was exhibited by Arnold in the debate in his rude treatment of Arianna Huffington and that the press offered little to no criticism of his behavior opened the door wide and gave a green light to his supporters to follow suit."
This trend towards violence is becoming a near prevailing attitude in the Schwarzenengger camp. At the Modesto stop, the emcee suggested that someone find the LA Times reporter and "beat him up." In Pleasanton, Arnold supporters blocked cameras to keep photographers from taking shots of Code Pink protesters.
Russell escaped with only minor bruises and scratches and in her now trademark wit she said of the fan who wrote on her clothing. "I find it quite ironic, and somewhat entertaining, that Arnold's fan used his pen to cross out on my shirt 'Brains, Beauty, Leadership,^Ò all traits Arnold himself lacks."
