RFK Jr. advisor chased, assaulted at United Nations by protester amid UN General Assembly protests
A senior adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was chased and assaulted in the UN lobby as protests connected to the General Assembly swell, with authorities charging the alleged attacker.
A senior adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was chased and assaulted by a protester at the United Nations on Thursday afternoon, according to law enforcement officials. The incident occurred around 2 p.m. in the United Nations headquarters lobby, where Patricia Schuh, 62, allegedly shined a bright light in Sara Kennedy’s face while shouting pro-Palestinian and pro-LGBT slogans before pursuing the RFK Jr. staffer across the lobby and into a bathroom stall, these officials said. Kennedy, an RFK Jr. staffer who is not related to the secretary, sought refuge in the stall but Schuh reportedly followed and scratched Kennedy’s right eye, possibly with her phone or jewelry, the sources said.
Emergency Medical Services treated Kennedy at the scene and she declined hospital transport, according to the sources. Schuh was charged with assault and harassment, law enforcement officials said. A spokeswoman for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said there had not yet been an arraignment as of Friday afternoon. Neither Kennedy nor Schuh could be reached for comment, and a message left with RFK Jr.’s office was not returned.
RFK Jr. was at UN headquarters on Thursday for a meeting focused on the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, the notes said. The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly began Sept. 9 and has been marked by near-daily pro-Palestinian protests, including an address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scheduled for Friday. Officials noted that about 60 protesters were arrested Tuesday near the UN as demonstrations continued, with more than 150 demonstrators bearing signs such as “Abolish Israel.”
As the UN General Assembly session unfolds, this incident adds to a backdrop of heightened security and dense protests surrounding the world body’s gathering. RFK Jr.’s office did not respond to requests for comment, and the probe continues as prosecutors pursue charges related to Schuh’s actions. The involvement of a senior aide from a high-profile administration figure underscores the intersection of health policy, international diplomacy and domestic political tensions playing out at the United Nations this week.
