An activist from the peace organization Codepink shouted at US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Video of the incident published the organization itself.
As can be seen in the published footage, the woman attacked the minister, who was calmly having dinner at a restaurant in Washington. She began accusing him of Bessent “eating while the world is hungry because of his sanctions.”
“I want to raise a glass to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is eating and drinking in peace while people around the world are starving because of his sanctions. <...> He turns a blind eye to the deaths of 600,000 people a year due to his sanctions. <...> How many more people will die because of the blood on your hands?” she shouted at the minister.
Codepink explains that this woman was referring to estimates from the scientific journal Lancet. According to the publication, a third of the world's population lives under American sanctions, which is why almost 600 thousand people die every year.
Additionally, Bessent's response is also included in the video. The minister said that the activist “she herself does not understand how ignorant she is in this matter”. Then he stood up and spoke to the staff.
