Protester throws red liquid at legislators, shutting down California Senate

SACRAMENTO — The state Senate ground to a halt at 5:14 p.m. during today's final session when a protester threw a red liquid from the upstairs gallery onto the legislative floor while yelling, "That's for the dead babies."

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California Highway Patrol officers cleared the floor and investigated the incident, surrounding the area with crime scene tape. A hazardous materials team was en route as senators voiced concerns that it was human blood.

Several lawmakers said they believe the activist was part of the anti-vaccine protests that have continued throughout the week after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday cracking down on medical vaccine exemptions. Anti-vaccine protesters have been a mainstay in the legislative galleries, holding U.S. flags upside down.

The liquid appeared to hit at least two lawmakers, including Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) and Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). A splotch of liquid was also on Sen. Holly Mitchell's (D-Los Angeles) desk.

Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda)

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a picture of what appeared to be a menstrual cup with red liquid inside. He said that Hurtado, Skinner, Mitchell, Sen. Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) and Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) were hit by the liquid.

"I'm told a person has been arrested," Glazer said on Twitter.

Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins immediately called for a Democratic caucus.

"California’s legislative process, as well as our doors, should remain open to all who wish to observe or speak out on a variety of issues, but we cannot allow anyone to endanger others," she said in a statement. "The behavior that occurred in the Senate Chamber is unacceptable and has been dealt with by Capitol law enforcement. We will continue to do the people’s important business.”

Lawmakers immediately condemned the incident, with state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) saying on Twitter that "These anti-vaxxers are engaging in criminal behavior."

State Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) condemned the incident, three weeks after he was shoved by an anti-vaccination protester, Kenneth Austin Bennett, near the Capitol.

"Like Mr. Bennett, this incident was incited by the violent rhetoric perpetuated by leaders of the antivaxx movement. As their rhetoric escalates, their incidents of violence does as well. This is an attack on the democratic process and it must be met with strong condemnation by everyone," Pan said in a statement.

Mackenzie Mays contributed to this report.

Article originally published on POLITICO Magazine