Rep. Al Green Compares Himself to Civil Rights Leaders After Protest
Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, likened himself to iconic figures Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks after being removed from President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address for the second time.
Green was escorted out after he protested by displaying a sign that read “Black people are not monkeys,” a response to a now-deleted social media post from Trump that had altered “The Lion King” to depict Democrats, including former President Obama and his wife, as primates. An official stated that the post was shared in error.
Following his removal, Green expressed to reporters outside the House chamber that he is aware some people think he shouldn’t be taking such a stand. “Others have faced backlash for their beliefs,” he remarked. “Dr. King was imprisoned for his convictions, and so was Rosa Parks.”
He continued, “Occasionally, taking a stand means being isolated. Rosa Parks stood alone in a discriminatory Southern town, and for certain causes, it’s better to be alone than to remain silent.” He emphasized he would continue to take a stand against what he views as harmful actions.
During the incident, while Green was peacefully escorted away, House Minority Leader Steve Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana, attempted to take the sign from him. Some Republican representatives made efforts to shield cameras from capturing Green’s actions while others chanted “America, America” as he left the chamber.
Outside the event, Green reiterated the importance of standing against discrimination and communicated his intention to deliver his message directly to the President. “I think he understood what I was conveying,” he said. “The outcome wasn’t my priority.”
He reflected on the legacies of Dr. King and Rosa Parks, noting how they didn’t allow consequences to deter them from their causes. “We’re at a point where we need to adopt a strong attitude,” Green stated.
A communications director from the White House dismissed Green’s protest, saying he is not a serious individual and often engages in unserious behavior. “Al Green is a total loser who demeans both himself and his position in Congress,” the director remarked.
