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Mississippi congressman accused of assaulting woman at U.S. Capitol

By Kaitlin Howell May 7, 2024 | 3:40 PM

WASHINGTON (WJTV) – A member of an anti-war group known as CODEPINK said she has filed charges against a Mississippi congressman.

Sumer Mobarak said she was assaulted by Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) on Tuesday, May 7 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

A video showed members of CODEPINK asking Ezell to help stop the killings in Palestine. The group said Mobarak, who is a Palestinian American, had her phone slapped away by Ezell during the exchange. Mobarak said she has filed assault charges against the congressman with Capitol police.

“It is imperative to note that the violence Representative Ezell committed, as well as the violence we are witnessing on college campus, solely comes from those who support the ongoing genocide. Their violence and crimes reflect that of the Israeli government, and the whole world is witnessing it,” said Melissa Garriga, CODEPINK’s media relations manager.

There have been protests on college campuses across the U.S., including the University of Mississippi, against Israel’s war with Hamas.

Ezell sent a statement to WJTV 12 News about the incident and said, “These China-backed protesters want to harass and intimidate Members of Congress into ending our support for Israel and our opposition to Hamas terrorists. I will not be harassed or intimidated by the Chinese Communist Party, Hamas, or their supporters, and I will continue standing with our Israeli allies against terrorism.”

WJTV 12 News also reached out to Capitol police about the incident. They said they’re looking into the incident.