Politics

Apparent Occupy protesters greet Paul at event, shouting compliments [VIDEO]

Steven Nelson Associate Editor
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At a Monday event in Iowa, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and his son, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, were greeted at the Steeplegate Inn in Davenport with a trademark “Occupy” mic check.

“Mic Check” said one attendee loudly, as the GOP presidential candidate made his way to the podium. In the movement’s call-and-response pattern, others shouted back, “Mic check.”

But rather than belittle the to-be speakers with lethargic policy jibes, as has been done to other GOP presidential candidates, the attendees belted out compliments.

“Thank you, Dr. Paul, thank you for opposing the indefinite detention of Americans!” they shouted.

“Thank you for opposing the Wall Street bailouts!” they added.

And before respectfully quieting down for the speakers, the chant leader shouted, “Thank you for opposing unnecessary wars!”

It is unclear if these attendees were in fact “Occupy” protesters, Paul supporters who wanted to creatively vocalize their support, or both. In the early days of the Occupy Wall Street protests, Paul supporters were notable participants.

On Thursday, five Occupy Des Moines protesters were arrested at a Paul campaign office in Iowa. They were protesting his plans to cut the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Occupy Caucuses” participants reportedly plan to disrupt events throughout Iowa on Tuesday, the day of the first-in-the-nation contest of the Republican presidential primary season.

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