Just a quick update on the developing story out of Lexington, Kentucky, where a protester affiliated with MoveOn was dragged to the ground and stomped by Rand Paul supporters ahead of last night’s Senate debate.
We understand that the victim has left the hospital, but we don’t have official word on her condition. We’ll try and get you an update this morning.
Both campaigns have now reacted to the attack, which was caught on camera at multiple angles.
“Violence of any kind has no place in our civil discourse and we urge supporters on all sides to be civil to one another as tensions rise heading toward this very important election,” reads a statement from Paul’s camp, which called the incident “incredibly unfortunate.”
“We are relieved to hear that the woman in question was not injured,” the statement reads.
Mark Riddle, senior adviser to the Conway camp, told Huffington Post, “”Everyone is hoping she is okay and I don’t think anybody believes this sort of behavior is tolerable.”
“We can disagree on issues and be passionate about them but I don’t think there is any room for someone throwing a young lady to the ground and stomping her on the head no matter how much they disagree with her,” he said.
As you can see from the below video, shot at a different angle from the original footage, the victim’s head gets pressed against the pavement as the boot comes down on her head, neck and shoulder. Photos at this website show that one of the men holding Lauren Valle down was wearing a “Don’t Tread On Me” button.
Police in Kentucky have not identified the perpetrator. We’ve reached out to the victim for comment and will bring it to you if and when we get it.
Late update: MoveOn is urging Rand Paul to condemn the attack, and is calling for arrests in the matter.
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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