Schwarzenegger video call on redistricting ‘Zoom bombed’ with swastikas, racial slurs

An online news briefing on redistricting reform featuring former Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was “Zoom bombed” with swastikas and racial slurs on Tuesday.

The Zoom bombers displayed swastikas and shouted the N-word shortly after Schwarzenegger left the meeting, which focused on campaigns for ballot initiatives in six states.

The briefing’s organizer, a nonprofit group called The People, swiftly removed the online trolls and apologized for the disturbance.

But a short while later, speakers were once again interrupted by racial slurs.

Katie Fahey, founder and executive director of The People, said during the meeting that the organization does not condone any of the remarks made by the Zoom bombers.

“The unfortunate part is that whenever you have somebody who is willing to come and speak out who is a public figure, it does help raise more awareness, but unfortunately for people with bad intentions as well,” Fahey said during the meeting.

Schwarzenegger, who was one of the key speakers on the call, has been an advocate for redistricting reform for years.

Zoom bombing has become more common during the coronavirus as more meetings are held online. Previous incidents include a Holocaust memorial event being bombarded with images of Adolf Hitler and an Indiana election officials’ meeting that displayed pornography.

Zoom recently announced it would offer a beta version of end-to-end encryption for both free and paying users beginning in July. Zoom CEO Eric Yuan said the move would help “prevent and fight abuse” on the platform.

Fahey told The Hill that the interruptions will not deter her group’s efforts on redistricting.

“Those in the redistricting fight are tough and not easily distracted, we look forward to continuing to support fair maps for every American.”

An edited version of the meeting will be posted soon, Fahey’s group said.