A political activist was forced to the ground and stomped by a supporter of Kentucky senatorial candidate Rand Paul following a debate Oct. 25 in an incident that was caught on tape.
Lauren Valle, 23, had allegedly approached Kentucky Republican Rand Paul’s SUV after a debate when at least two of his male volunteers attacked her.
The man who stomped on Valle, identified as Tim Profitt, said she posed a threat to the politician.
“When all the facts come out, people will see that she’s the one who initiated the whole thing,” he told local television station WKYT. “I would like for her to apologize to me, to be honest with you.”
According to CBS News, Valle works for the political advocacy group MoveOn, and in a video of the incident can be seen approaching Paul’s vehicle and partially putting a sign into the passenger-side window.
Valle said she suffered a concussion as a result of the altercation and may seek legal action.
Paul appeared on Fox News condemning violence, and his representatives released a statement cutting ties with Profitt.
“The Paul campaign has disassociated itself from the volunteer who took part in this incident, and once again urges all activists—on both sides—to remember that their political passions should never manifest themselves in physical altercations of any kind.”
Video of the incident found its way onto YouTube, and as of the afternoon of Oct. 29, was available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-48vvBAJEI4.
