(PatriotWise.com)- A dramatic video circulating online depicts the moment a Black Lives Matter leader in Los Angeles was forcibly removed from an arena where mayoral candidates were participating in a discussion.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, the video was posted on social media by Melina Abdullah, a Black Lives Matter activist and lecturer at Cal State Los Angeles, who said she was “brutally ejected” from the exclusive event because she did not have a ticket to attend.
Abdullah said that debates should be open to the public, particularly at public universities. According to the outlet, she noted there was only a limited turnout at the “near-empty auditorium,” according to the outlet.
The professor also suggested that her race may have played a role in the incident, writing on Twitter following her dismissal that the white PBI [Pat Brown Institute] director called the police on her.
According to reports, videos of the event show two campus police officers, each grabbing one of Abdullah’s arms, taking her from her seat, and escorting her away from the building. A number of people appeared to be supporting Abdullah, who stepped in front of the officers, blocking their passage, or screamed at them for what they were doing.
Abdullah took to Twitter to express her gratitude to her followers following the incident.
According to her biography, as a grassroots leader in Los Angeles, Abdullah has taken an active role in local and state politics, including campaigning for California Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021.
According to Abdullah, Newsom’s Republican opponent Larry Elder is a “Black face on White supremacy,” as he defined throughout the campaign.
She has also taken controversial opinions, such as defending convicted cop murders and calling for the abolition of police departments, which have sparked controversy.
Her other anti-police comments are “f—- the cops,” “don’t be afraid to say abolish the police,” and other similar statements.
Recent comments from her include criticism of Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, in which she refers to him as a “racist.”
The five mayoral contenders currently in the lead in the polls participated in the discussion at the Cal State University venue. Among those in attendance were Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino, Rep. Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, businessman Rick Caruso, Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León, and Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer.
Several concerns and comments were raised during the debate about the city’s ongoing homelessness.
