Befitting lesson over racist rant: Twitter hails #eggboy as hero
An unnamed young man threw an egg at Anning during a press conference in Melbourne. PHOTO: SCREEN GRAB/ TWITTER @Henry_Belot
The Aussie politician had tried to claim the deadly attacks on two Christchurch mosques that left 49 people dead and about 50 injured on Friday were a result of New Zealand's immigration policies.
Senator Anning, known for inflammatory racist remarks, was speaking to reporters at an event in Melbourne as the 17-year-old protester walks up behind him and smashed an egg over the back of Anning's head while recording video on his mobile phone.
The right-wing politician quickly turned around and angrily punched him in the face. He then tried to grab the boy as crowd rushed in to break them apart.
Australian senator egged after racist comments about Muslims
The ‘Egg Boy’ was wrestled to the floor, pinned down and held in a headlock by Anning's supporters until police arrived. He was later released from police custody pending further inquiries, Mirror reported.
An online fundraising page is collecting donations to pay for the teen's legal fees and to buy "more eggs".
Senator Anning drew international condemnation for his efforts to blame the attacks that killed 49 Muslim worshipers on immigration.
Here are just some of our favourites "EggBoi" memes trending on Twitter:
A social media user Will Connolly, who seems be our new hero, appeared in another video thanking everyone who supported him online.
Meanwhile, a petition calling for Senator Anning to be removed from office has more than 225,000 signatures.
His remarks were widely condemned, and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a motion censuring Anning will be tabled when Parliament resumes its session.
“These comments are appalling and they're ugly and they have no place in Australia. He should be, frankly, ashamed of himself,” the Aussie premier was quoted as saying.