A protester reportedly assaulted a senior advisor to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during an event at the United Nations. This incident took place on Thursday and involved Sara Kennedy, who was confronted by a 62-year-old woman named Patricia Schuh.
Witnesses claim Schuh flashed a bright light into Kennedy’s face and chased her while shouting “Free Palestine!” According to law enforcement, Kennedy attempted to escape to the bathroom, seeking refuge in a stall. Unfortunately, Schuh followed her, allegedly scratching Kennedy’s right eye in the process.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly commented on the incident, stating, “An HHS official was followed into a bathroom, recorded, physically assaulted and verbally accosted by a deranged leftist at the UN who somehow entered the venue past multiple layers of security.” She expressed relief that Kennedy was safe but highlighted serious security failures at the UN.
Kennedy later described her experience, saying it was “very disorienting.” After regaining her composure, she realized the situation involved a recording device. She attempted to hide in a stall as Schuh tried to force her way inside, continuing to film and yell.
“The insults changed into specific insults,” Kennedy recounted, noting the verbal attacks escalated into “hyper-aggressive insults.” Schuh reportedly labeled her a “fascist,” “Nazi,” and “slut.”
Once the shouting ceased, Kennedy exited the stall only to find Schuh waiting for her outside. The encounter lasted around ten minutes, with Schuh continuing to follow Kennedy and shining the light in her direction.
Kennedy observed, “It felt very political in nature.” She indicated that the hostility experienced by Secretary Kennedy seems to be filtering down to staff members.
Emergency Medical Services treated Kennedy at the scene, but she declined to go to the hospital.
A spokesperson for the U.S. at the UN expressed outrage over the incident, stressing the need for immediate attention and consequences. They stated that the UN has lost its ability to maintain safety within its headquarters and called for significant reform.
As the story spreads, there seems to be a growing concern regarding the security measures at high-profile events.
