West Philadelphia Woman Gets National Attention Following Trump Protest
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A West Philadelphia woman is getting national attention after publishing an op-ed in the Washington Post.
She was detained by secret service this month following a protest inside of Trump Tower.
"We wanted to do something pretty spectacular," said activist and organizer Melissa Byrne.
She says she joined a protest scheme August 15th, the same day President Donald Trump was set to hold a press conference.
The goal: drop a 10-foot banner that reads "Women Resist White Supremecy." Byrne entered Trump Tower with the banner under her dress and went to the second floor- she rolled it out at the perfect moment.
Banner drop at Trump Tower because even though the president won't, women aren't afraid to call out white supremacy. pic.twitter.com/Yfr17r6gV0
— UltraViolet has the #ReproReceipts (@UltraViolet) August 15, 2017
"It was great, until the officer came up to me and says you can't do that- he pulls it and I fall down," Byrne said.
Byrne says she was handcuffed and questioned by NYPD and Secret Service for an hour.
"They asked me 'have you ever had tried to commit suicide- do you have mental health issues?'" said Byrne.
After signing a release for her medical records, Byrne was let go. Days later she discovered Secret Service began questioning her neighbors.
"That's like really scary and intimidating and a waste of our resources," Byrne said.
Byrne says claims she's a "non-violent, political person" and this incident will not stop her protests.