House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) had a tense standoff with 'Dream Act' protesters during a press conference about the deal made with President Trump over DACA recipients, and was eventually forced to flee the event.
Why were they protesting?
The protesters appeared to be upset that the Democrats were dealing with the president in order to secure a quasi-legal status for DACA recipients.
“We, the undocumented youth, will not be a marketing chip for Trump,” they chanted. “Democrats created an out-of-control deportation machine and handed it over to Trump. We demand accountability.”
Protesters chanted, "all eleven million!" in an apparent demand that all illegal aliens be granted legal status, not just the 'Dreamer' segment. It is estimated that there are at least 11 million illegal aliens in the United States.
They also chanted, “Undocumented, unafraid!" a common refrain of illegal immigrant protests.
What was Nancy Pelosi's response?
Pelosi appeared to be confused about the demands of the group, which kept interrupting her and shouting her down, but didn't have clear goals.
"Let me say this, because you've had your say, and it's beautiful to our ears to hear you're protecting yourselves..." she said before being shouted down.
"Just stop it now," she shouted back, "just stop it now!"
The New York Post reports that the retreated from her own press conference after 30 minutes of dealing with the raucous protesters, which appeared to number about 30 people. They shouted at her, “You’re a liar!"
Here are videos of the altercation:
Pelosi tells the protesters they don't want any solutions in this clip:
A clearly shaken Nancy Pelosi mutters "they don't want the DREAM Act" about pro DACA protesters who interrupt press conference. pic.twitter.com/88kPHlaStg
— Scott McGrew (@ScottMcGrew) September 18, 2017
This short video captures Pelosi fleeing as protesters shout after her:
Haha! Nancy Pelosi chased out of her own press conference. Life comes at you fast. pic.twitter.com/DPpct2NJjw
— Tennessee (@10_gop) September 18, 2017
Here Nancy Pelosi says the protesters cutting off the "Dreamers" who are there to speak:
When Nancy Pelosi is trying so hard to protect DREAMers but the DREAMers don't want to hear what she has to say 😂pic.twitter.com/HJdtvF3ddA
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 18, 2017
Here they chant, "Democrats deport!"
"Democrats deport" crowd chants after taking over Nancy Pelosi DREAM Act press event in SF pic.twitter.com/5SpCGEUVU9
— Evan Sernoffsky (@EvanSernoffsky) September 18, 2017
Here Pelosi calls the protesters "ridiculous," while they chant loudly in the background.
"Democrats deport" crowd chants after taking over Nancy Pelosi DREAM Act press event in SF pic.twitter.com/5SpCGEUVU9
— Evan Sernoffsky (@EvanSernoffsky) September 18, 2017
Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said they had reached a deal with President Trump to protect DACA recipients, but the ensuing outrage caused the White House and their allies to deny that a final deal had been agreed to.
