Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was caught on camera yelling at a group of pro-Palestine protesters who gathered outside her residence in San Francisco on Monday.
The incident occurred amid growing criticism of Pelosi’s remarks on Sunday, when she suggested that some of the antiwar demonstrations were linked to Russia and called for an FBI investigation.
In a video clip that went viral on social media, Pelosi can be seen confronting the protesters on her driveway, demanding that they leave the area immediately. Her frustration reached a boiling point when she shouted a racial statement, “GET OUT OF MY WAY!.. GO BACK TO CHINA WHERE YOUR HEADQUARTER IS!”
The protesters, who were holding signs that read “Free Palestine” and “Stop the Genocide in Gaza”, responded by chanting “Shame on you, Nancy” and “End the occupation now”. Some of them also accused Pelosi of being a “racist” and a “warmonger”.
Pelosi’s outburst sparked outrage among many online users, who slammed her for being insensitive and hypocritical. Some pointed out the irony of Pelosi telling protesters to go back to China, when she herself has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump’s use of the same phrase against his opponents. Others questioned Pelosi’s claim that some of the protesters were connected to Russia, citing a lack of evidence and accusing her of spreading conspiracy theories.
Pelosi’s comments on Sunday came as President Joe Biden faced mounting pressure from both Democrats and Republicans to take a more assertive stance on the Israel was on Gaza, which has killed more than 26,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians.
Biden has expressed support for a cease-fire, but has also reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s security and right to self-defense.
