Incidents of objects being thrown at politicians

Bush Shoe Throw

Incidents of objects being thrown at politicians refer to various occurrences where individuals have thrown objects at political figures during public appearances, speeches, or other events. These incidents can be motivated by political dissent, personal grievances, or attempts to gain media attention.

Notable Incidents

United States

George W. Bush

On December 14, 2008, during a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, had two shoes thrown at him by an Iraqi journalist, Muntadhar al-Zaidi. The incident was widely covered by the media and became a symbol of protest against the Iraq War.

Hillary Clinton

On April 10, 2014, during a speech in Las Vegas, Nevada, Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State, had a shoe thrown at her by an audience member. Clinton managed to dodge the shoe and continued her speech with a sense of humor.

United Kingdom

Tony Blair

In 2004, Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, had a condom filled with purple flour thrown at him while he was speaking in the House of Commons. The incident was a protest by the group Fathers 4 Justice.

Canada

Jean Chrétien

In 1996, Jean Chrétien, the 20th Prime Minister of Canada, had a pie thrown at him by a protester during a public event. The incident was part of a series of pie-throwing protests by the group Entartistes.

Motivations

The motivations behind these incidents vary widely. Some are politically motivated, aiming to make a statement against the policies or actions of the targeted politician. Others may be driven by personal grievances or a desire for media attention. In some cases, the act of throwing an object is intended to humiliate or embarrass the politician.

Legal Consequences

Individuals who throw objects at politicians often face legal consequences, including charges of assault, disorderly conduct, or other related offenses. The severity of the punishment can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the circumstances of the incident.

Security Measures

In response to these incidents, security measures at political events have been heightened. This includes increased screening of attendees, the use of metal detectors, and the presence of more security personnel to prevent such occurrences.

Related Pages

• Political protest
• Assault
• Public safety
• Political violence
• Security measures at public events

See Also

• List of shoe-throwing incidents
• Political satire
• Public humiliation