Today is the 15th Anniversary of the Iconic Bush Shoeing Incident

15 years ago, our lives forever changed with one single event. Nope, we’re not talking about Twilight taking over theaters and everyone not knowing how to answer whether they’re Team Edward or Jacob. 
 

We’re to talk about Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi and his legacy that still lives on to this very day. 

Today, Dec. 14, 2023, marks the 15th anniversary of Iraqi journalist Muntadhar Al Zaidi throwing his shoes at former US President George W. Bush. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Gulf Moments (@gulfmoments)

On December 14th in 2008, al-Zaidi removed his shoes and threw them at then United States President George W. Bush while shouting “This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog.”

The incident happened during a joint press conference with then Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki which took place in Baghdad, Iraq.

While Bush managed to avoid being hit by both shoes (yes, al-Zaidi successfully managed to throw both of this shoes), one of them hit the US flag erected behind Bush. Suffice to say, this iconic moment still lives in all of our minds rent-free to this very day.

He was immediately held down by the security personnel present at the conference. 

The journalist was handed to the Iraqi army's Baghdad command who later handed him to Iraq's judiciary. 

The streets in Iraq filled with hundreds of protestors, demanding Al-Zaidi's release. 

Al-Zaidi received a three-year imprisonment sentence, which was eventually reduced to two years.

However, the journalist was released after nine months of imprisonment because he had no criminal record. 

Al-Zaidi, who served six months in prison for assaulting Bush, left for Lebanon after his release and told Reuters that he has “no regrets” about what he has done. Back in 2020, he thanked everyone for always remembering him on December 14. He also urged the American people to "not let the world experience a new tragedy due to incorrect White House policies." What a legend! 

Al-Zaidi was considered a national hero and his actions gained popularity in the Arab World.

In March 2023, in an interview with CBS, Al-Zaidi said, "The only regret I have is that I only had two shoes."

Thanks to everyone who remembered me on this day, the anniversary of the shoe throwing at George Bush. I would like to tell my American friends: Please do not let the world experience a new tragedy due to incorrect White House policies
Muntadhar Alzaidi pic.twitter.com/wQaf4nEKHB

— Muntadhar al-Zaidi (@muntazer_zaidi) December 14, 2020

Al-Zaidi left the country and stayed in Lebanon and Switzerland.

He returned to Iraq in 2018 to run for office, however, he was unsuccessful. 

He still lives in Baghdad, but he no longer works as a journalist.