Diabetes Experts Escorted Out of Conference for Protest

Several experts in diabetes were escorted out of a major medical conference by police on Friday. This occurred after they distributed copies of an editorial critical of the Trump administration’s cuts to scientific research. The incident took place at an American Diabetes Association meeting in New Orleans.

The disruption happened before Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health, was scheduled to speak. An announcement stated he would not appear, and a senior adviser from the N.I.H. spoke instead.

The editorial, published in the association’s journal, discussed the negative impact of federal cuts on diabetes research. As researchers handed out the editorial, security personnel intervened and confiscated the materials. Aaron Kelly, a pediatrics professor at the University of Minnesota, confirmed that security escorted them outside.

MedPage Today recorded the event, capturing a tense exchange, with a security officer confronting one of the experts. The researchers attempted to re-enter the center, but security and police blocked them again.

“They were clearly trying to intimidate us,” stated Dr. Kelly. Police warned the researchers they would face arrest for trespassing if they returned. Justin Ryder, a pediatric obesity researcher, was among those distributing the editorial. The Louisiana State Police confirmed organizers requested police intervention. Removed researchers reported their badges were confiscated and were instructed not to return.