There are days when the truth really is stranger than fiction. This even includes the Democratic National Convention, which is currently being held in Chicago, where police and the FBI are investigating whether saboteurs tossed bugs into a breakfast buffet that was prepared for delegates on Wednesday.
“Multiple unknown female offenders are alleged to have entered a building…and began placing unknown objects onto tables containing food,” the convention’s information center said in a statement. “The offenders are believed to have then left the area. One victim was treated and released on scene. Along with CPD, FBI-Chicago is assisting in the investigation.”
According to one witness, the creatures appeared to be crickets but other reports also suggest maggots were used, USA Today [1] reports.
The bugfestation occurred at the Fairmont Hotel, where delegates from Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Missouri and South Dakota are staying.
“We were all coming down to breakfast, and there were these two women who had hidden themselves in the bathroom,” Indiana delegate Karen Tallian told the outlet. “And they ran out and threw maggots into the breakfast buffet.”
The retired state senator said friends who entered the dining room ahead of her had witnessed the contamination.
While this is the most recent example of efforts to disrupt the convention, it’s merely one among many, including a spate of bomb threats at hotels where delegates and other attendees are staying. According to Fox32-TV, threats have been made against at least three hotels.
“We ran out every single threat yesterday and they are continuing to come in today,” Derek Mayer, the deputy Secret Service special agent in charge, said during a briefing Wednesday morning.
Bug-bombing breakfasts is apparently a new thing, but no one has claimed responsibility for the offense. The same trick was played last month when maggots and other insects became part of the menu. The critters were released at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Protests over the Gaza war and U.S. military support for Israel have been a nightly occurrence in Chicago during the convention.
“All Americans have the right to peaceful protest, but ugly attacks like this have no place in our democracy,” said Indiana Democratic Party spokesperson Sam Barloga. “We thank the security team for responding swiftly.”
While some people may find these insect imbroglios offensive (especially maggots — ugh), I doubt it’s likely to encourage those in power, like Netanyahu, for instance, to stop murdering innocent people. I can’t see how they would even make the connection.
I mean, how would that even work? “Stop killing people and the bug bombing stops?” I don’t think so. But I’m glad Netanyahu had to deal with this fun. I think he’s a nasty b@stard.
Sorry folks, I’m an ornery one, I am.
But I digress.
Wednesday’s incident occurred around 6:45 a.m.
“We can confirm that a group of individuals caused a disruption at a DNC-related breakfast event at our hotel this morning. We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement,” Fairmont Chicago officials noted in a statement. “Our team acted immediately to clean and sanitize the area, ensuring that the event could continue without further incident. We maintain the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness throughout our property and have strict protocols in place to handle any disruptions.”
Fortunately, things were cleaned up quickly, and Indiana State Rep. Carolyn Jackson noted that by the time she arrived for breakfast at 7:45 “there was all new food out.”
Frankly, adding bugs to the menu sounds like something Donald Trump supporters would do. Aren’t they any smarter than that? The most effective protests are the ones that have some heft to them. Something that makes its mark and makes people remember. Bugs in your coffee?
I doubt most people would remember that for long.