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Protesters prompt Secret Service to jump stage at Bernie Sanders rally

By Eric DuVall
A Secret Service agent jumped onstage during Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders' rally in Oakland, Calif., on Monday. Animal rights demonstrators hopped a bike rack barricade and tried rushing the stage. No injuries were reported. Screen shot courtesy ABC News/YouTube
A Secret Service agent jumped onstage during Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders' rally in Oakland, Calif., on Monday. Animal rights demonstrators hopped a bike rack barricade and tried rushing the stage. No injuries were reported. Screen shot courtesy ABC News/YouTube

OAKLAND, Calif., May 31 (UPI) -- The Secret Service jumped the stage during a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders when four protesters jumped a barricade during his speech.

Sanders was not harmed and at least four protesters were removed.

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The incident happened Monday at Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif. One agent jumped onto the platform during Sanders' speech, wrapping his arms around the candidate and telling him to step away from the podium. Other agents began hauling away the protesters who jumped a bike rack barricade separating the platform from the crowd.

Once the commotion died down, Sanders resumed his remarks, saying, "We don't get intimidated easily," to cheers from the crowd.

CNN reported the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere claimed responsibility for the protest in a press release.

"Activists do not protest at Bernie Sanders rallies in opposition to Sanders himself, but rather to pull Sanders in their direction," the group's press release said. "Sanders' opponent Hillary Clinton recently released a campaign platform on animal issues, although it stops far short of what activists would like to see. Activists expect Bernie Sanders, the progressive candidate, to support more radical action to provide animals not just with improved conditions but with legal rights to be free from harm."

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Michael Briggs, a spokesman for the Sanders campaign, said afterward the incident was "handled professionally by the Secret Service."

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