A poster on display at the West Virginia statehouse comparing Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) to 9/11 terrorists prompted a heated argument between lawmakers on Friday that resulted in a physical injury and one lawmaker’s resignation, WSAZ reports.
The poster was reportedly put on display as part of a “Republicans Take the Rotunda” event. It shows a photo of the Twin Towers in flames with the words, “‘Never forget’ – you said..” followed by, “I am the proof — you have forgotten,” on top of a photo of Omar.
{mosads}Democrats in the statehouse complained about the display and got into an explosive argument with the state House’s sergeant at arms, Anne Lieberman, for allegedly making an anti-Muslim remark.
According to Democrat Mike Angelucci, Lieberman said, “all Muslims are terrorists.” He called the comment “hate speech” and said he was “furious” over it.
Lieberman denied making the comment to a local news outlet but later resigned Friday afternoon after the accusation.
Republicans reportedly defended the display as free speech, with state Del. Dianna Graves saying “freedom of speech is something we have to protect.”
A Democratic state lawmaker, Mike Caputo, also allegedly injured a doorkeeper during the heated argument over the poster, resulting in the staffer being taken to the hospital. The House Rules Committee is expected to meet Saturday to decide if Caputo will face repercussions.
Omar, a Somali-American and one of two Muslim women in Congress, later blasted Republicans over the “anti-Muslim” poster.
“No wonder why I am on the ‘Hitlist’ of a domestic terrorist and ‘Assassinate Ilhan Omar’ is written on my local gas stations,” she tweeted.
“Look no further, the GOP’s anti-Muslim display likening me to a terrorist rocks in state capitols and no one is condemning them!” Omar added.