An anti-vaxx protestor was arrested for dropping 'menstrual blood' on California lawmakers
- An anti-vaccine activist was arrested for interrupting a legislative session in the California statehouse when she allegedly threw a feminine hygiene device that appeared to contain blood from a second-floor balcony.
- "That's for the dead babies," she reportedly yelled as liquid landed on at least five senators.
- The woman was reportedly one of several protestors who went to the Capitol after two vaccine bills were signed into law earlier this week.
- Opposition to vaccines is generally based on junk science that has been perpetuated by some celebrities and some communities on social media.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
An anti-vaccine activist was arrested when she allegedly threw a feminine hygiene device that appeared to contain blood from a second-floor balcony during a legislative session in the California statehouse.
The Bee reported that a 43-year-old Rebecca Dalelio was charged with felony vandalism, misdemeanor battery, and multiple other misdemeanor counts related to disrupting official state business after she threw the device from a second-floor balcony where she was watching the Senate with dozens of other protestors around 5:15 p.m.
"That's for the dead babies," she yelled.
The Senate then called a quick recess after at least five members were reportedly hit by the liquid and law enforcement agents guided an evacuation of the room.
A video posted to social media shows a woman outside the Senate gallery saying, "My menstrual blood is all over the Senate floor…a representation of the blood of the dead babies," before she was handcuffed.
It was not immediately clear if the liquid was confirmed to be blood. Dalelio's bail is set at $10,000, according to Sacramento County Sheriff's Department records reported by the Bee.
The incident comes days after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 276 and SB 714, controversial policies that ramp up restrictions on medical vaccine exemptions for children, into law.
Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener said on Twitter after the incident that the protestors had "engaged in a harassment campaign all week."
"A few minutes ago, the anti-vaxxer stalkers - who've engaged in a harassment campaign all week - dropped a red substance onto the Senate floor from the elevated public gallery, dousing several of my colleagues," Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener wrote on Twitter. "These anti-vaxxers are engaging in criminal behavior. They've now repeatedly assaulted senators and are engaging in harassing and intimidating behavior every single day, as we try to do the people's work. They're a cancer on the body politic and are attacking democracy."
Read more: Anti-vaxx memes are thriving on Instagram
Read more: Your period could be more than 90% cheaper if you switch to menstrual cups, new research finds
Democratic State Sen. Richard Pan authored the vaccination bill and spoke out after the incident to condemn the "violent rhetoric" of the anti-vaxx movement.
"This incident was incited by the violent rhetoric perpetuated by leaders of the antivaxx movement," Pan said in a statement to FOX 40 Sacramento. "As their rhetoric escalates, their incidents of violence does as well. This is an attack on the democratic process and an assault on all Californians and it must be met with strong condemnation by everyone."
Opposition to vaccines is generally based on junk science that has been endorsed by celebrities like Jenny McCarthy who, with Oprah Winfrey's help, have falsely said there may be something dangerous about the measles vaccine. Melnick said one need look no further than his county's official Facebook page to glimpse the rampant (and at times sophisticated) anti-vaccine propaganda spreading around the area.