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January 25, 2013

Kerry Recalls Anti-Vietnam War Activism After Protester Disrupts Senate Hearing 
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Democratic Sen. John Kerry appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations
committee Thursday for his confirmation hearing to become the next
Secretary of State. Kerry has chaired for the past four years and been a
member since 1985. During his introductory remarks, Kerry was
interrupted by a protester with the group CODEPINK. The activist was
rushed out of the room as she called for a change to U.S. policy in the
Middle East, including cutting aid to Israel. Kerry responded by
invoking his own days as antiwar activist in the early 1970s upon
returning from military service in Vietnam.

Protester: "We’re killing thousands of people in the Middle East who
are not a threat to us. When is it going to be enough? When are enough
people going to be killed? I’m tired of my friends in the Middle East
not knowing if they’re going to live to see the next day!”

Sen. John Kerry: "When I first came to Washington and testified, I
obviously was testifying as part of the group of people who came here to
have their voices heard. And that is, above all, what this place is
about. So I respect, I think, the woman who was voicing her concerns
about that part of the world, and maybe one of you have traveled there.
Some of you were there recently. Senator Mc Cain, you were just there,
you were in a refugee camp, and I know you heard this kind of thing.
People measure what we do."

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to advance Kerry's
nomination to a full Senate vote early next week.

 

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