In June 2010, Etheridge, while returning from a self-described "long day", was approached by two young men on a Washington D.C. sidewalk. The pair asked Etheridge if he "fully supported the Obama agenda" while video recording his response at close range.
The video shows a young man with a camera, well dressed in a coat and blue tie, saying to Ethridge as he passed by on a public sidewalk in Washington, DC, "Hi, Congressman. How are you? Do you fully support theObama agenda?" At that point Ethridge faces the young man and asks, "Who are you?", grabs the camera, grabs the young man's wrist and does not let go. The video camera held by another person keep rolling recording the incident. Etheridge keeps asking "Who are you? Tell me who you are." The young man replies "We are students. We are just here for a project". The young man asks, "Could you please let go of my hand" and Etheridge replies, "Tell me who you are". The cycle repeats with Etheridge demanding, "Who are you?" and the young man asking, "Please let go of my hand." Ethridge then gets more physically forceful, repeating "Who are you?" as he then grabs the young man behind the neck and forcefully pulls the young man towards him as the young man protests, "Sir. Sir."[2]
The video was posted on YouTube, was later headlined on the Drudge Report and is now viral on the Internet. Ethridge later apologized for the incident in a statement saying "I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction, and I apologize to all involved".[3] Etheridge stated that there was no excuse for his actions and refused to speculate on the motivation of those involved.
Should have absolutely kicked the living shit out of that smug jerk and then let the video be his best defense.
buddmann 9 months ago
Boy, that congressman sure leaves himself open for a quick left when he grabbed that kid's right hand! I admire that young man for not punching the daylights out of Rep. Etheridge.
grassblade63 1 year ago