CHARLESTON, S.C. — Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum were shoved and a baby stroller was left knocked over after a group of “Occupy” protesters disrupted his election-night gathering and threw glitter on him Saturday night.
The ruckus occurred after Santorum made remarks to supporters following his third-place finish in the South Carolina primary Saturday night. One female protester threw glitter on him before quickly being escorted away.
The protesters yelled phrases suggesting they disagree with Santorum’s stance on gay issues.
They chanted “bigot!” as they were escorted out of the auditorium at the College of Charleston along with at least five other young people.
At one point in Santorum’s speech, a protester yelled out, “unless you’re gay.” Santorum continued with his remarks without any reaction.
As Santorum entered the auditorium Saturday night after the results were announced, his supporters chanted, “we picked Rick.”
Santorum, who won the Iowa caucuses, vowed to fight on in the primary and take his campaign to the next contest in Florida and other states. The former Pennsylvania senator said during an interview with CNN that the race “is going to be a long one.”
In the hours before Santorum took the stage, supporters at his modest election night party mostly stayed quiet as they watched Fox News call the race for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.