A group of Gen-Z activists have shared video evidence that appears to show Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) kicking one of their members on a sidewalk outside of the U.S. Capitol building.
Early Thursday evening, members of the progressive group Voters of Tomorrow — which seeks to increase political engagement among young people — confronted Greene and her staff, speaking to her about gun reform and the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in a heated debate that was captured on video.
At one point in the video, Marianna Pecora, the deputy communications director for the group, is walking alongside Greene. As space on the sidewalk narrows, Pecora steps away from Greene, walking in front of the congresswoman as they continue down the road.
Although there is still room between her and Greene, the Georgia legislator appears annoyed that Pecora walked in front of her. Greene can then be seen striking the back of Pecora’s leg with her foot, causing the activist to stumble.
I’m the Deputy Communications Director @VotersTomorrow and our team is in DC this week to lobby for youth rights.
All the members of Congress we’ve met with so far (both Rs and Ds) have been nothing but respectful — except for @RepMTG. She kicked me. pic.twitter.com/vDCc3svIEZ
— Marianna Pecora (@MariannaPecora) September 15, 2022
When Pecora and other group members complain about Greene’s actions, the lawmaker dismisses them. The video goes on to show a spokesperson for Greene telling the organization’s members, “You can’t block members of Congress” on the sidewalk.
Greene has confronted young activists on sidewalks in Washington D.C. in the past, using her phone to film their interactions and post them to social media. Such was the case when she harassed Parkland school shooting survivor David Hogg in 2019.
Instead of apologizing for kicking the activist, Greene shared the video of her striking Pecora on her Twitter account, calling those who confronted her “foolish cowards.” Pecora responded to Greene’s post by quoting it in a tweet of her own.
“Did she literally just tweet out the video of her kicking me?” Pecora asked.
In a different post, Pecora noted that Greene was the only lawmaker who responded to the group with hostility. “All the members of Congress we’ve met with so far (both Rs and Ds) have been nothing but respectful — except for @RepMTG,” Pecora said.
“It’s honestly, like, really disheartening to think that a bunch of kids can hold themselves with better composure than a sitting member of Congress,” Pecora said in a subsequent interview with The Washington Post.
The same day Greene kicked Pecora, she verbally lashed out at Voters of Tomorrow executive director Santiago Mayer, telling him to “go to another country” if he disagreed with gun laws in the U.S.
Mayer, who moved to the country from Mexico in 2017, pointed out that Greene wasn’t the only GOP lawmaker who acted out against the organizers.
“Also [Colorado Republican Congresswoman] Lauren Boebert tried to knock my phone off my hand,” Mayer said.
Help Truthout resist the new McCarthyism
The Trump administration is cracking down on political dissent. Under pressure from an array of McCarthy-style tactics, academics, activists and nonprofits face significant threats for speaking out or organizing in resistance.
Truthout is appealing for your support to weather this storm of censorship. We fell short of our goals in our recent fundraiser, and we must ask for your help. Will you make a one-time or monthly donation?
As independent media with no corporate backing or billionaire ownership, Truthout is uniquely able to push back against the right-wing narrative and expose the shocking extent of political repression under the new McCarthyism. We’re committed to doing this work, but we’re also deeply vulnerable to Trump’s attacks.
Your support will help us continue our nonprofit movement journalism in the face of right-wing authoritarianism. Please make a tax-deductible donation today.