This post has been updated.
As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke at an event for a local chamber of commerce on Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of protesters gathered outside holding signs and chanting.
Nearly 1,000 people stood outside the event, shouting chants like “No ban, no wall, Mitch McConnell take our call,” according to the Associated Press.
Protesters held signs calling McConnell a “coward,” demanding that Republicans save Obamacare and asking for a congressional investigation into President Donald Trump’s ties to Russia.
McConnell addressed the protesters outside the event during his speech. He said that they had a right to be there, but said he believed they showed up because they were upset they lost the election:
McConnell on protesters: “as long as you do it peacefully, I’m proud of that.”
— Ryland Barton (@RylandKY) February 21, 2017
McConnell, at local event in KY, notes protesters outside: “Why are they protesting? They don’t like the results of election.”
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) February 21, 2017
McConnell says he respects their right to protest. pic.twitter.com/ctldhbh6DL
— Lawrence Smith (@LASmithReports) February 21, 2017
McConnell says people of KY expressed themselves in voting booth.
— Lawrence Smith (@LASmithReports) February 21, 2017
McConnell: In this country, when you win the election you get to make the policy.
— Lawrence Smith (@LASmithReports) February 21, 2017
One event attendee, Georgetown resident Rose Perkins, asked McConnell about coal jobs leaving the state, according to the AP.
“If you’ll answer that, I’ll sit down and shut up like Elizabeth Warren,” Perkins said, referencing McConnell’s comments when Republicans formally rebuked the Massachusetts senator for a speech about Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
“I hope you feel better now,” McConnell said in response to Perkins’ question on Tuesday, per the AP.
Watch footage of the protest via the Lexingon Herald-Leader:
