VIDEO: Fraternity brothers kick out protesters at Joni Ernst rally for shouting anti-Koch sentiments
The brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho identify themselves as a 'Republican-heavy frat,' and say they are support of Ernst.
Protesters in support of Dem. opponent, Bruce Braley stood up and began chanting "Iowans want a Senator who represents us, not the Koch Brothers! Get out of politics, get out of our schools.”
Prior to Tuesday's election, a fraternity at Iowa State University (ISU) hosted U.S. Senate candidate Joni Ernst (R) to rally the Greek vote when 15 protesters rose and began chanting anti-Koch Brothers sentiments.
The brothers of Alpha Gamma Rho identify themselves as a “Republican-heavy frat,” and say they are support of Ernst.
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"[Ernst has a] lot of Republican values as far as that mother/soldier background. She's realistic and down to earth in what Iowans want, what Iowans need," fraternity brother Kellen Suntken told MotherJones.
Before Ernst stood up to speak at the fraternity-hosted event, protesters in support of Dem. opponent, Bruce Braley stood up and began chanting "Iowans want a Senator who represents us, not the Koch Brothers! Get out of politics, get out of our schools.”
The mob was reportedly part of VOTE MOB, an organization that “go[es] where folks are at and do[es] wild and crazy things” such as “giant flash mobs, public art, direct action, social media, bar crawls, spread memes, the whole nine [yards],” according to the group’s website.
The fraternity brothers quickly got rid of the protesters and overwhelmed the room with support for Ernst, shouting and clapping “Joni, Joni, Joni!”
"It happens," Ernst spoke to room full of students after the chanting settled, according to MotherJones. "I've seen much worse, although it was overseas in Iraq.”
Following the event, the protesters remained on the sidewalks and continued to chant.
"Joni Ernst does not believe in a federal minimum wage," shouting the protesters. "Joni Ernst does believe, that $7.25 is good enough for Iowa. I don't know what Iowa Joni Ernst is living in. But it's not the Iowa I live in. It's not the Iowa you live in."
The protesters were eventually escorted away by police.
Ernst went on to defeat her Democrat opponent Bruce Braley during the Tuesday election garnering 52 percent of the vote.
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @MaggieLitCRO
