As Joni Ernst began to speak at Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity at Iowa State Nov. 3, protesters scattered across the room stood up and began to yell, “People in, money out.”

Ernst came to the fraternity Nov. 3. as part of her 24-hour tour across Iowa before Election Day. As a mix of students and Story County residents began to shout over Ernst, attendees of the rally ushered them out the door, clapping and chanting, “Joni.”

“I’ve seen worse before, usually in Iraq,” Ernst laughed as she continued her speech.

Protesters stood on the public sidewalk outside the fraternity for the remainder of Ernst’s speech. 

Jonathon Laudner, president of ISU College Republicans, said he thought the protesters’ actions were not in their best interests.

“For protesters at an event, that’s not an uncommon thing. But to come inside private property of somebody who’s hosting an event, it’s completely disrespectful,” Laudner said. “It’s completely out-of-taste. They accomplished nothing but making fools of themselves and proved they have to move to desperate measures to help their candidate.”

Protestors continued to chant with a bullhorn and signs. Members of Alpha Gamma Rho had called the Ames Police Department who eventually asked protesters to leave. 

Brenda Brink, a Huxley resident, was one of the protesters. She said the group protested in hopes of getting direct answers from Ernst. 

“[Ernst] has been avoiding any potential discussion from the public. She likes to hide behind her comfort zone. It needs to be told to people what she really stands for. She has a track record, and it’s not a good one,” Brink said. “When is she going to talk to the real Iowans instead of people that are just part of her entourage?”

Brink said she believes Ernst is avoiding discussion with Iowans and that Ernst uses her campaign to speak for her instead of speaking directly to Iowans on issues. Brink said it was telling of Ernst that she chose not to speak to the Des Moines Register too. 

Braley and Tom Harkin will be on Iowa State’s campus at 2:30 Nov. 4, but Matt Kerns, a member of Alpha Gamma Rho who helped bring Ernst to campus, said he does not see retaliation as a possibility for members of the fraternity. 

“I don’t think it’s personal. People have their own opinions and they have their rights to their own opinions. That’s why we live in America. I think honestly that we wouldn’t do anything like that,” Kerns said. “We have a level of respect for other candidates, and we like to have good conversations with people.”

Brink said she understands that Ernst supporters may not agree with how they conducted the protest, but she said it was necessary anyway. 

“How are we going to make any difference if we do everything in fear of what other people are going to think?” Brink said. 

Laudner said he does not envision ISU Republicans or Story County Republicans retaliating at tomorrow’s Braley and Harkin event. 

“I can promise you tomorrow at 2:30 when Tom Harkin is on campus I won’t be doing that,” Laudner said.