Alaska Native activist alleges assault by Wasilla mayor
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An Alaska Native activist said Thursday that she was assaulted by the mayor of a small town as protesters took over a seating area intended for lawmakers during a contentious session of the Alaska Legislature that’s gathering in two cities.
Haliehana Stepetin filed a citizen’s complaint with Wasilla police Thursday, naming Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle, along with House Minority spokesman Zach Freeman. She also plans to seek a public apology from Cottle.
The 27-year-old Anchorage woman alleges Cottle and Freeman grabbed her arm without her permission Wednesday as she attempted to take an empty seat at the gathering of Republicans in Wasilla.
In a video that captured the incident, Cottle can be seen gripping her arm for at least five seconds, while Freeman let go after two seconds.
“I felt like I was in a vulnerable place,” Stepetin said. “And I still feel like I’m in a really vulnerable place.”
Freeman told The Associated Press in a phone interview that he believes the incident has been blown out of proportion. He called the encounter a reaction.
“In the moment, no one knew if the individuals were planning to harm members of the Legislature,” Freeman said in a written statement subsquently emailed to the AP. “I was impressed with the way our legislators and members of the audience remained calm and maintained decorum while facing yesterday’s attempted hostile takeover of an official government meeting.”
Messages left with police and Cottle’s office weren’t immediately returned.
The encounter happened in Wasilla, where 2008 Republican vice presidential