Condi = War Criminal': Code Pink Protesters Try to Arrest Condi Rice for 'War Crimes

TAMPA, Fla. (TheBlaze/AP) -- Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has earned a plethora of honorable titles throughout her career. Today, though, the academic and George W. Bush administration official came close to earning a far less impressive distinction -- prisoner.

Police in Tampa stopped a dozen anti-war protesters from entering an event attended by Rice after the group said it intended to arrest her for war crimes. The protesters, from the anti-war group Code Pink, can be heard on video chanting, "Arrest Condi Rice! Arrest Condi Rice!"

They carried handcuffs Tuesday and tried to enter a performing arts center. Rice was attending an event in conjunction with the Republican National Convention. They said they wanted to make a citizen's arrest of Rice. She was Bush's National Security Adviser when the Iraq War started in 2003.

Officers told protesters to leave because they were on private property. They went back to the sidewalk and several lay down under sheets made to look like they were blood-splattered.

TampBay.com has more about the scene that unfolded:

The protesters, wearing their usual attire in all shades of pink, stood at one of the entrances with signs that read "Arrest Condi" and "Condi = war criminal."

Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink, said they were protesting against former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice because she agreed to send troops to Iraq. The protesters picked the Straz as their location because they believed Rice was scheduled to speak at the arts center Tuesday.

Code Pink advertised its anti-Rice sentiment on Twitter, writing, "Arrest Condi, one of many responsible for the death of thousands of Iraqis! Next week: hold Obama accountable!" The group also shared the following picture to accompany the aforementioned tweet:

The group says it will try to arrest other members of the George W. Bush administration as well.

Follow @BillyHallowell on Twitter.

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