FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2024

Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | [email protected] |

CODEPINK SF Bay Area Organizer Assaulted and Forcibly Removed from Adam Schiff Event

San Francisco - At Adam Schiff’s Get Out the Vote (GOTV) event in San Francisco on Sunday, March 3, Cynthia Papermaster, a CODEPINK San Francisco organizer and her service dog were forcibly removed from The Pearl, the event venue. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability from Schiff and his campaign staff.

Papermaster and a friend had invitations to the private event. After checking in with the event staff and seated, Papermaster was approached by two women, one dressed as security, who abruptly informed her she needed to leave. The event had not yet begun. When asked for an explanation, the two women provided no answer but continued to insist on her leaving. Suddenly, three men approached, forcefully grabbed Papermaster, and dragged her out by her wrists, also dragging her service dog by his leash. She was screaming in pain and asking why she was being evicted, but never received an answer from the men assaulting her. 

“I am still in pain and trauma from the way I was treated by the Schiff campaign staff. I had a personal invitation to attend the event, drove from the East Bay to San Francisco to attend, and was never given an explanation for why they assaulted and removed me. I am horrified that our next senator from California would allow this to happen at a campaign event. This bodes ill for California. Shouldn’t a candidate for Senator treat voters with respect? I don’t know if Schiff knows what happened at his event. I would like an apology, but regardless I am filing assault and battery charges immediately," explained Papermaster on Monday. 

CODEPINK demands an explanation for the treatment of their organizer, who was not causing any disturbance. Notably, Papermaster had previously engaged with Schiff at a debate watch party without incident, leading to a polite conversation in which his campaign manager provided helpful information.

CODEPINK condemns the incident as shameful, unnecessary, and unwarranted. We seriously question whether Schiff is suitable to represent California as a senator in light of the incident.

For more information, please contact Melissa at [email protected] 

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