Security tackles man who disrupted a press event with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) - A man was tackled to the ground by security as he was spotted yelling and moving towards Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a Wednesday press event in Alaska.

Kennedy was in Fairbanks with Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan during a week-long tour of Alaska. Kennedy was speaking to reporters at the Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center when the man rushed in and began shouting about Palestine.

The man, who identified himself as Patrick Woolery, spoke with KTUU after being released a short time later by authorities.

Fairbanks police confirmed Woolery was the man detained at the press conference.

Woolery said that with others already protesting outside the event, he wanted to “say something about the genocide in Palestine” he claimed the U.S. is facilitating.

“I was excited to go over and yell at them, and tell them to stop committing genocide,” Woolery said.

Woolery was promptly tackled by security and detained.

Sullivan was standing alongside Kennedy when Woolery approached and said he was “bum rushing the secretary.”

“It’s disappointing, you don’t expect that in Alaska,” Sullivan said. “That’s not who Alaskans are.”

Woolery said he was told by law enforcement that he was trespassing at the Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center and would be banned for 60 days.

He also said he was told that he may face federal charges.

Sullivan said that he hopes officials investigate the man and prosecute him “if he deserves it.”

The press event took place after Kennedy and Alaska’s two senators met with leaders from the Tanana Chiefs Conference to discuss priorities related to Alaska Native healthcare, according to Brian Ridley, the Chief and chairman of Tanana Chiefs Conference.

While the senators and secretary were meeting with Tanana Chiefs Conference, more than 80 protesters demonstrated against both Alaska’s congressional delegation and Kennedy.