A University of Michigan student was arrested Sunday after video showed her shoving a conservative influencer to the ground at a campus table that asked whether Islam is compatible with Western values.
Campus police said officers saw the student assault a woman who is not affiliated with the university. The incident happened at about 5 p.m. ET in Ann Arbor.
The woman knocked down was Liz Benichou, a pro-Trump influencer who was due to speak at the event.
Video from the scene posted on X shows the student arguing with people at the table, which was run by commentator Joe Redden. His signs asked “Is Islam evil?” and whether Islam is compatible with Western values.
In the footage, the student asks “Where’s your permit?” and claps in Redden’s face before Benichou is pushed to the ground. Police said the event did not have a permit.
As officers led her to a police car, the student shouted a profanity-laced threat, saying she should have killed them “while I had the chance.”
Police said no one was injured. The student was processed and released pending a decision on charges. Police have not released her name, and no comment from her has been made public.
Benichou said she was “physically assaulted simply for showing up and exercising my First Amendment rights.”
“If the intention was to intimidate or silence me, it will not work,” she said.
The university has not commented on the arrest. Prosecutors in Washtenaw County will decide whether to file charges.