Amid prolonged chaos and a reported 70 arrests in the first two days of hearings, rumors began circulating online that activist groups were handing out cash to protesters who would then storm the courtroom to cause as much disruption as possible with a view to getting arrested.
Look who joined the party today. Contrary to @CoryBooker this was not “democracy in action”. It’s paid activism in action. Which I suppose is a certain kind of democracy. Just not the kind this #texan thinks is bennificial. #KavanaughConfirmationHearing pic.twitter.com/Viv8vui2u8
— Adam W. Schindler (@AdamSchindler) September 4, 2018
Proof the protestors were paid off in line. #Kavanaugh #ConfirmKavanaugh #ActivismInAction pic.twitter.com/hMLpP4zWPn
— Adam W. Schindler (@AdamSchindler) September 4, 2018
For those wondering if the photo of the person receiving cash in line was staged (it wasn’t), here’s some evidence of her getting kicked out of the hearing. Thanks @andaluzuelo https://t.co/r5BvOMIUGd
— Adam W. Schindler (@AdamSchindler) September 5, 2018
If you’re compensated for your free speech is it now paid speech? Protestors of #KavanaughHearings are political operatives say eyes witnesses. @senjudiciary/ https://t.co/VHMayIbgdd
— Adam W. Schindler (@AdamSchindler) September 4, 2018
They’re back at it today. Exercising “free” speech. pic.twitter.com/K7GPFCeusM
— Adam W. Schindler (@AdamSchindler) September 5, 2018
Spoke to the protest organizer. She confirmed handing out cash, but said they intend cash to be used to pay fines they know come when protestors break the law. A small price to pay to be “heard” I suppose. #KavanaughConfirmation
— Adam W. Schindler (@AdamSchindler) September 5, 2018
Capital Police are now asking for an ID to get in to the #KavanaughForSCOTUS hearing. This is a change for today. Also, protestors previous arrested are not allowed in. Thank you @senjudiciary for that important protection.
— Adam W. Schindler (@AdamSchindler) September 6, 2018
One such alleged paid-for actor was Vickie Lampron, who can be seen in this arrest video from inside the courtroom, shared by the Center for Popular Democracy, which is involved in the demonstrations. She was arrested shortly afterwards.
BREAKING: More arrest footage: A woman screaming in defense of her children's healthcare and Eric being dragged out the door of the Kavanaugh hearings! @PplsAction @popdemoc @mainepeople #StopKavanaugh #CancelKavanaugh #grassroots pic.twitter.com/Q29umuOEpB
— Rights & Democracy (@RightsVT) September 4, 2018
The proof. pic.twitter.com/SYIebvSiiQ
— Andaluzuelo (@andaluzuelo) September 5, 2018
In the below photo, shared by Adam Schindler, the Director of Online Strategy for Central, Lampron can be seen outside the courtroom speaking with Vinay Krishnan, a writer for SLAM magazine and an attorney, handing what appears to be money to Lampron outside the courthouse, RT reports.
Proof the protestors were paid off in line. #Kavanaugh #ConfirmKavanaugh #ActivismInAction pic.twitter.com/hMLpP4zWPn
— Adam W. Schindler (@AdamSchindler) September 4, 2018
Schindler later added that he spoke to the protest’s organizer who confirmed that they were handing out cash which the protesters were using to pay fines they received for breaking the law.
Spoke to the protest organizer. She confirmed handing out cash, but said they intend cash to be used to pay fines they know come when protestors break the law. A small price to pay to be “heard” I suppose. #KavanaughConfirmation
— Adam W. Schindler (@AdamSchindler) September 5, 2018
Founder and President of Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk, decried the perceived hypocrisy on Twitter. He even described it as treasonous in nature.
Could you imagine the media's outrage if conservatives were paying cash to protestors to try & get them to disrupt Liberal confirmations?
Here you see a woman receiving a cash payment who then went on to scream during the hearing
If this is real, the left is paying for chaos pic.twitter.com/WAWqg2x1gq
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 6, 2018
Definition of treason:
The offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow state to which the offender owes allegiance to, to harm or injure the sovereign or the sovereign's family. 2 : the betrayal of a trust- treachery
Behavior described in oped is absolutely treason
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 6, 2018
Winnie Wong, senior adviser to the Women’s March, along with co-founders Linda Sarsour and Bob Bland were all arrested Monday for their part in disrupting the confirmation hearings.
“This is well-organized and scripted. This isn’t chaos,” Wong told CNN. “It’s exercising your constitutional rights.”
Wong confirmed to CNN that The Women’s March had been fundraising for the planned protests via the group’s email list and was paying protesters the $35 to $50 bail.
RT.com has contacted Vickie Lampron, the Women’s March and the Center for Popular Democracy for comment on what is taking place in the photo but it has yet to receive responses. It has been unable to reach Krishnan.
