US: Journalist ‘not surprised’ by race remark at Republican convention

THE Republican convention in Tampa, Florida, was marred by an ugly incident in which two delegates were ejected
for throwing peanuts at a black camerawoman and shouting: “This is what we feed the animals.”

Patricia Carroll, who was covering the event for TV channel CNN, said she was “not surprised” by the incident, but did not want to make an issue of it.
“This situation could happen to me at the Democratic convention or standing on the street corner. Racism is a global issue,” she said in an interview with the Maynard Institute of California, which specialises in race issues in journalism.

The incident happened on Tuesday when Ms Carroll, 34, was taking a break and standing on the arena floor listening to the speeches.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Two attendees tonight exhibited deplorable behaviour. Their conduct was inexcusable and unacceptable. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated,” the Republican Party said.

Several witnesses to the incident identified the perpetrators to security staff and two men were ejected, although they were not arrested.