A public statement shared on the Instagram page of Brian McGinnis claims the Marine veteran and father of four has not been allowed to see his wife, children, or legal counsel. The message states that he is currently awaiting surgery for se*vere injuri*es. Social media
Brian McGinnis is a hero in a world full of cowards. The former US Marine was protesting in Congress during a Senate hearing against the Iran war “for Israel,” saying many Americans oppose it. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) joined Capitol Police in lifting up and ejecting antiwar protestor McGinnis from a SASC subcommittee hearing. McGinnis is a Green Party candidate running for Senate in N.C.
In the process, they broke the arm of this veteran for protesting this idiotic war. Our government does not give a damn about veterans, not even the President, Sec. of the War, US lawmakers, and even the Capitol police.
As of this point, Brian McGinnis has been detained on multiple assault charges. Neither his court-appointed attorney nor hired attorney have been allowed to speak to him. His wife hasn’t spoken to him. They don’t even know where he is. This is highly unusual and definitely unconstitutional.
The Government loves saying, "We respect our troops," until a Marine stands up and says, "no one wants to die for Israel." Then they kick him and break his arm. The government is willing to sacrifice our young men and women for the sake of a foreign government even though Iran never threatened the US or constituted a threat to the United States.
What was Brian McGinnis' crime?
He used his first amendment rights to say he was against the war in Iran. He didn’t curse, he didn’t threaten. He just spoke up. Today, I want to salute this veteran Marine.
The last time I publicly praised a US marine was on Feb. 14, 1983 in a letter to the Columbus Dispatch when Marine captain Charley B. Johnson, 30, from Nina, Wisconsin stopped three Israeli tanks approaching a U.S. Marine position near Beirut Airport. He ran toward the heavily armored British-made Centurions and then took a position in the middle of the road. When the lead tank halted barely a foot in front of him, Johnson told an Israeli lieutenant colonel stop it! “You will not pass through this position.” After a momentary pause, the Israeli commander “I am going through.” Johnson again demanded that the tanks halt, adding, “If you come through, it will be over my dead body.” He drew his pistol and held it at a 45° angle, the “ready” position. Finally, the Israeli commander complied with the marine order after he told him he will pass only through his dead body. On that day, I called Captain Johnson's father and told him how proud I was of his brave son. This happened 18 months before I enlisted in the US military and was one the reasons that inspired me to join.
Then, suddenly, the other two tanks took off at full speed in the original direction. Johnson jumped on the lead tank, grabbed the Israeli commander and yelled at him to stop his tanks. Complying at last, the Israeli, who was subsequently identified only as a Lieut. Colonel “Rafi,” told Johnson, “One thing we don’t want to do is shoot each other.” Replied Johnson: “Yes, but if you keep doing things like this, the likelihood is going to increase.”
Porte Bosh, who is one of McGinnis' 1000s supporters, saw the video where Brian McGinnis repeatedly saying that his wife is Palestinian, which is why he feels deeply and emotionally connected to the current situation in Gaza. He posted the message below in solidarity with the former Marine and his family. He and the other protesters with him were repeatedly shouting "Be a leader." They were urging politicians to take the right role and responsibility in this crisis. Veterans who fought for our country like McGinnis have every right to express their opinions and demand accountability from our public officials.
Like many Americans, the protesters at the Senate hearing clearly stated that they do not support the current Israeli monstrous policy, and they were demanding change on behalf of Americans. Truly Brian McGinnis deserves our respect. He is thinking about people while still loving his country.
McGinnis is married to Hanadee McGinnis, who is Palestinian. In an interview/podcast, he said his wife’s family is “a conservative Muslim family.” They reportedly have four children together and live in North Carolina. Today, his wife Hanadee Ali will have iftar dinner without her husband and she does not know when is going to see him or talk to him again. Their four children will not be able to play with their father. Life was normal until the day when the Capitol Police broke their father's arm, arrested him, and placed him in undisclosed location.
"McGinnis is still being held incommunicado by the US Govt, as he is unable to speak to even his wife or lawyer. They must really fear the power he represents in criticizing Israel and its genocide & war crimes in Iran, and as a veteran running for US Senate. The fact that he is married to a Palestinian woman is also surely part of their racist equation," said Anthony Aguilar in a post on Facebook. He is another antiwar, anti-genocide US Military veteran. Antony Aguilar added, "McGinnis is now an icon of the Anti-Genocide/anti-Zionist Movement & of the Anti-War on Iran Movement that is poised to take off."
The news of arrest and injury of Brian McGinnis was a heavy blow to his wife Hanadee. However, she was not crushed. She challenged the false allegations that her husband was violent/unhinged and she set a GoFundMe account to pay only for the necessary expense for her and their four children, and managing her household and the campaign to free her husband.
No one realized that within 24 hours of Brian McGinnis' arrest, his wife Hanadee Ali made shocking decisions that won everyone's respect! After all, she is a Palestinian American.
She is a realtor and investor and is known for her role as a mom of four. #usa #foryour #brianmcginnis #noopsteinfuryforIsrael
Mahmoud El-Youseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com
