Multiple Arizona public figures and social media users are calling Rep. Adelita Grijalva a liar after she said she "was sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent" on Dec. 5.
The congresswoman was reportedly pepper-sprayed by ICE agents during a protest of immigration raids at a Taco Giro restaurant earlier this month.
U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, standing, talks to Homeland Security Investigation agents as they arrest a protester during a targeted operation in Tucson on Dec. 5
"When I presented myself as a Member of Congress and asked for more information, my staff and I were pushed aside and pepper-sprayed by masked agents," Grijalva wrote on Instagram. "While I am fine, if that is the way they treat me, how are they treating other community members who do not have the same privileges and protections that I do?"
Her former election opponent Daniel Butierez wrote on Facebook, "This woman was not pepper sprayed. I was also there today and this was a staged event to attack the administration."
Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller said, "She had to manufacture outrage where none exists."
Since the incident, multiple people have written similar comments under videos Grijalva posted on Dec. 5. "You lied about everything," one Instagram user wrote. "You said you got sprayed in the face and you didn’t."
The Arizona Daily Star compiled videos online of the incident. The various angles show pepper spray shot in her direction, while not directly at her.
